They gaped at him. ‘I felt,’ he added modestly, ‘that the responsibility of taking this step devolved upon myself.’

Dikon expected Dr Ackrington to bristle at this disclosure, but it appeared that his enormous capacity for irritation was exhausted by his brother-in-law, upon whom he now turned his back.

‘Is it remotely possible,’ he asked Mr Falls, ‘that the fellow came on here and has made off somewhere or another?’ He looked hard at his nephew. ‘Such a proceeding,’ he said, ‘would not be altogether out of character.’

‘His car’s in the garage,’ said Simon.

‘Nevertheless he may have gone.’

‘I’m afraid it’s impossible,’ said Falls precisely. ‘If he followed the path I must have seen him.’

‘And there was the scream,’ Dikon heard himself say.

‘Exactly. But I agree that we should form a search party. Indeed, the police have suggested that we do so before they take any steps in the matter. I make one stipulation. Let us avoid the path past Taupo-tapu.’

‘Why?’ demanded Simon, instantly truculent.

‘Because the police will wish to make an examination.’

‘You talk as if it was murder,’ said Gaunt loudly. Smith gave a violent snuffle.

‘No, I assure you,’ said Mr Falls politely. ‘I only talk as if there will be an inquest.’

‘You can’t have an inquest without a body,’ said Simon.

‘Can’t you? But in any case—’

‘Well!’ Simon demanded. ‘What?’

‘In any case there may be a body. Later on. Or part of one,’ Mr Falls added impassively.

‘And now I’m afraid I really am going to be sick,’ said the Colonel. He hurried out to the verandah and was.

III

The search party was formed. The Colonel, having recovered from his nausea, astonished them all by offering to go to the Maori settlement and make inquiries.

‘If they’ve got wind of it, as you seem to suggest, Bell, they’ll work themselves up into a state. In my experience, half the trouble with native people is not lettin’ them know what you’re up to. The poor feller’s been killed on their property, you know. That makes it a bit tricky. I think I’d better have a word with old Rua.’

‘Edward,’ said his brother-in-law, ‘you are incomprehensible. By all means go. The Maori people appear to understand you. They are to be congratulated.’

‘I’ll come with you, Dad,’ said Simon.

‘No, thank you, Sim,’ said the Colonel. ‘You can help with the search party. You know the terrain, and may prevent anyone else falling into a geyser or somethin’.’ He gazed in his startled fashion at Mr Falls. ‘I don’t catch everything people say,’ he added, ‘but if I understand you, he must be dead. I mean, why scream? And you say there was nobody else about. Still, you’d better have a look round, I suppose. I think before I go over to the pa, I’d better tell Agnes.’