‘Have you, really? I suppose with her ladyship being as you might say a neighbour—’

‘The acquaintance is very slight,’ said Alleyn. ‘What about the doctors?’

‘I said I’d let Ampthill know as soon as you came. He is the police surgeon. He heads the list in the directory, so Mr Pilgrim rang him first.’

‘Very handy. Well, Mr Blackman, if you wouldn’t mind getting hold of him while I see Miss Troy—’

‘Right.’

‘Fox and Co. ought to be here soon. We’ll go and look at the scene of action when they arrive. Where is Miss Troy?’

‘In the study. I’ll take you there. It’s across the hall.’

‘Don’t bother—I’ll find my way.’

‘Right you are—I’ll ring the doctor and join you there. I’ve got the rest of the class penned up in the dining-room with a PC on duty. They’re a rum lot and no mistake.’ said Blackman, leading the way into the hall. ‘Real artistic freaks. You know. There’s the library door. See you in a minute.’

Alleyn crossed the hall, tapped on the door, and walked in.

It was a long room with a fireplace at the far end. The only light there was made by the flicker of flames on the book-lined walls. Coming out of the brightly lit hall, he was at first unable to see clearly and stood for a moment inside the door.

‘Yes’ said a quick voice from the shadows. ‘Who is it? Do you want me?’

A slim, dark shape, outlined by a wavering halo of light, rose from a chair by the fire.

‘It’s me,’ said Alleyn. ‘Roderick Alleyn.’

‘You!’

‘I’m sorry to come in unannounced. I thought perhaps you would rather—’

‘But—yes, please come in.’

The figure moved forward a little and held out a hand. Alleyn said apologetically.

‘I’m coming as fast as I can. It’s rather dark.’

‘Oh!’ There was a moment’s pause, a movement, and then a shaded lamp came to life and he saw her clearly. She wore a long plain dress of a material that absorbed the light and gave off none. She looked taller than his remembrance of her. Her face was white under the short black hair. Alleyn took her hand, held it lightly for a second, and then moved to the fire.

‘It was kind of you to come,’ said Troy.

‘No, it wasn’t. I’m here on duty.’

She stiffened at once.

‘I’m sorry. That was stupid of me.’

‘If I was not a policeman,’ Alleyn said, ‘I think I should still have come. You could have brought about a repetition of our first meeting and sent me about my business.’

‘Must you always remind me of my ill manners?’

‘That was not the big idea. Your manners did not seem ill to me. May we sit down, please?’

‘Do.’

They sat in front of the fire.