‘He didn’t think of that,’ said Fox. ‘If Bailey’s right they dropped off his overall while he fixed the knife.’

‘What’s all this?’ asked Nigel. Alleyn told him.

‘We’ve got to remember,’ said Alleyn, ‘that he’d got the offer of a good job. Marble statues of Comedy and Tragedy are not commissioned for a few pounds. It is possible, Fox, that a guilty Garcia might be so sure of himself that he would turn up in his London warehouse at the end of a week or so’s tramp and set to work. When we found him and hauled him up for a statement, he’d he all vague and surprised. When we asked how the traces of clay were to be accounted for, he’d say he didn’t know, but that he’d often sat on the throne, or stood on it, or walked across it, and the clay might have dropped off him at any moment. We’ll have to find out what sort of state his working smock was in. The bit of clay Bailey found is hardish. Modellers’ clay is wettish and kept so. When faced with Phillida Lee’s statement he’d say he’d had dozens of rows with Sonia, but hadn’t plotted to kill her. If we find she was going to have a child he’d very likely ask what of it?’

‘What about the appointment he made with her for Friday night?’ asked Fox.

‘Did he make an appointment with her for Friday night?’

‘Well, sir, you’ve got it there. Miss Lee said—’

‘Yes, I know, Fox. According to Miss Lee, Garcia said: “All right. On Friday night then.” And Sonia answered: “Yes, if it’s possible.” But that may not have meant that they arranged to meet each other on Friday night. It might have meant a thousand and one things, damn it. Garcia may have talked about leaving on Friday night. Sonia may have said she’d do something for him in London on Friday night. It is true that the young Lee person got the impression that they arranged to meet here, but she may have been mistaken.’

‘That’s so,’ said Fox heavily. ‘We’ll have to get on to deceased’s movements from Friday afternoon till Sunday.’

‘Did you get anything at all from the maids about Friday night?’