“No, I’m thinking about that archeological dig in the field across from the gate. If they were working, they might have noticed whether there were any visitors at the castle that day or the days before.”

“But Roach was killed late at night,” Darcy said. “They’d have gone home long before that hour, even if they were working.”

“But it would be good to know if Mr. Roach had visitors, wouldn’t it? His man claimed he had none. And who knows, there might have been someone loitering around the gate, snooping to find a way in . . . casing the joint, as the Americans would say.”

This made Darcy grin. “I never thought I would hear the words ‘casing the joint’ coming from your lips,” he said. “And speaking of your lips. They look particularly inviting this morning.” And he kissed me.

Chapter 19

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4

An unexpected drop-in visit.

So we decided to check the dig next and see if anyone was working. We turned toward the castle’s front gate and sure enough there was activity in the field opposite. There was also a Garda constable standing outside the castle gate, watching everything that was going on. Darcy turned the Rolls onto the track leading to the field gate and brought it to a halt.

“Is this one of your fields?” I asked, as the thought had just occurred to me.

“All the fields around here used to be Kilhenny land. I believe this is part of the home farm, which is rented out to tenants these days.”

“So any treasure found in this dig would still belong to your family?”

“Belong to the dead American now, I suppose,” he said. “I’m not sure what the conditions of the sale were and whether he bought all Kilhenny property or just the castle and stables.”

The young Garda constable was now walking toward us.

“No reporters, please,” he said. “No stopping here. Please move along.” Then his face changed. “Oh, it’s you, Mr. Darcy. It’s a long time since we’ve seen you around here. Sorry it has to be in such tragic circumstances now.”

“How are you, Kevin?” Darcy said. “Or do I have to say Constable Byrne these days?”

The constable grinned, looking ridiculously schoolboyish. “I bet you never thought I’d be on the right side of the law one day, did you?”

“Not after the number of times we caught you poaching rabbits on the estate.” Darcy was smiling too. “Look, Kevin.” He leaned out of the motor window. “I’d like a word with the archeologists. Your inspector from Dublin seems convinced that my father is guilty. So it’s up to me to try and prove his innocence. All I want to find out is whether these people saw anyone going to the castle in the days before Mr. Roach was killed.”

“I don’t know, Mr. Darcy.” Kevin looked worried. “I’d like to help but my orders are—”