‘Gentlemen!’ Mr Tillottson almost shouted and they subsided. ‘A statement,’ he said, ‘will be typed on the lines of your information. You will be asked to look it over and if you find it correct, to sign it. I have only one other remark to make, ladies and gentlemen. As you have already been informed, we have Superintendent Alleyn, CID with us. Mr Alleyn came, you might say, on unofficial business.’ Here Mr Tillottson ducked his head at Troy, ‘But I don’t have to tell him we’ll be very glad of his advice in a matter which I’m sure everybody wants to see cleared up to the satisfaction of all concerned. Thank you.’

Having wound himself into a cocoon of generalities Mr Tillottson added that as the afternoon was rather close he was sure they would all like a breath of air. Upon this hint the passengers retired above. Troy after a look from Alleyn went with them. She noticed that Dr Natouche remained below.

It seemed to her that the Hewsons and Mr Lazenby and Mr Pollock were in two minds as to what attitude they would adopt towards her. After a short and uncomfortable silence, Mr Lazenby settled this problem by bearing down upon her with his widest smile.

‘Happy now, Mrs Alleyn?’ he fluted. ‘I’ll bet! And I must say, without, I hope, being uncharitable, we all ought to congratulate ourselves on your husband’s arrival. Really,’ Mr Lazenby said, looking—or seeming to look—about him, ‘it would almost seem that he was Sent.’

It was from this moment, that Troy began to suspect Mr Lazenby, in spite of the Bishop of Norminster, of not being a clergyman.

He had sparked off a popularity poll in favour of Troy. Miss Hewson said that maybe she wasn’t qualified to speak but she certainly did not know what was with this cop and for her money the sooner Alleyn set up a regular investigation the better she’d feel and Mr Pollock hurriedly agreed.

Caley Bard watched this demonstration with a scarcely veiled expression of glee. He strolled over to Troy and said: ‘We don’t know yet, though, or do we, if the celebrated husband is going to act.’

‘I’m sure I don’t,’ she said. ‘They have to be asked. They don’t just waltz in because they happen to be on the spot.’

‘I suppose you’re enchanted to see him.’

‘Of course I am.’

‘That monumental creature seemed to indicate a collaboration, didn’t you think?’

‘Well, yes. But it’d all be by arrangement with head office.’

‘Hallo,’ he said, ‘we’re going through the lock.’

‘Thank God!’ Troy ejaculated.

It would be something—it would be a great deal—to get out of that region of polluted foam. Troy had been unable to look at The River since she came on deck.