‘Yes. That’s right. But by that time Val was looking very seedy and said her head was splitting, so after two or three hands we chucked it up and m’wife took Val up to her room.’

‘Gave her some aspirin perhaps?’

‘No. Pilgrim rushed off and got some aspirin for her. Anxious about her as an old man. Engaged couples, what? Ha! She took the bottle up with her. M’wife tucked her up and went to her own room. Pilgrim said he was sleepy—I must say he’s a dreary young blighter. Not nearly good enough for Val. Said he felt like bed and a long sleep. Dull chap. So we had a whisky and soda and turned in. That was at half-past ten. I wound up the clocks, and we went and had a look at Val and found she was in bed. Very attractive creature, Val. Naughty little thing hadn’t taken the aspirin. Said it made her sick trying to swallow. So Pilgrim dissolved three in water and she promised she’d take ‘em. M’wife looked in later and found her sound alseep. We were all tucked up and snoozing by eleven, I should think. And now let’s see. Following morning—’

Captain Pascoe described the following morning with a wealth of detail to which Alleyn listened with every sign of respect and appreciation. Drinks were again suggested. ‘Well, if you won’t, I will,’ said Captain Pascoe, and did, twice. Alleyn asked to see the bedrooms. Captain Pascoe mixed himself a third drink, and somewhat noisily escorted them over the house. The guest-rooms were at the top of the stairs.

‘Val had this one, and that fellow was next door. What! Felt like a good long sleep! My God.’ Here the captain laughed uproariously and pulled himself together. ‘Not that Val’d stand any nonsense. Thoroughly nice girl. Looks very cometoish, but b’lieve me—na poo. I know. Too much other way ‘fanything. I mean, give you ‘ninstance. Following morning took her round rose garden. Looking lovely. Little purple cap and little purple gloves. Lovely. Just in friendly spirit I said, “ffected little thing, wearing little purple gloves,’ and gave little left-hand purple glove little squeeze. Just like that. Purely platonalistic. Jumped as if I’d bitten her and snatched away. Pooff!’

Captain Pascoe sat on the edge of Valmai’s bed and finished his drink. He glared round the room, sucking his upper lip.

‘Tchah!’ he said suddenly. ‘Look ’t that. Disgraceful. Staff work in this house is ’bominable. M’wife’s away. Maid’s away. Only that feller to look after me. Meals at club. Nothing to do, and look at that.’

He pointed unsteadily to the mantelpiece.

“Bominable. Never been touched. Look at this!’