‘Then, I think the boy did it, and I hope that, for his sake, it will go no further than finding that he’s irresponsible and chucked the rock aimlessly or at least with no idea of the actual damage it would do. He can then be removed from his parents, who are no good to him anyway, and given proper care and attention. If I’m asked for an opinion at the inquest that will be it.’

‘Tidy. Straightforward. Obvious.’

‘And you don’t believe it?’

‘I would like to believe it,’ said Alleyn.

‘I need hardly say I’d be interested to know your objections.’

‘You may say they’re more or less mechanical. No,’ Alleyn said correcting himself. ‘That’s not quite it, either. We’ll just have to press on and see how we go. And press on I must, by the same token. My chaps’ll be waiting for me.’

‘You’re going out?’

‘Yes. Routine, you know. Routine.’

‘You’ll be half-drowned.’

‘It’s not far. Only to the shop. By the way, did you know we’re moving Miss Pride in the morning? She’s going to the Manor Park Hotel outside Dunlowman.’

‘But why? Isn’t she comfortable here?’

‘It’s not particularly comfortable to be suspected of homicide.’

‘But – oh, good lord!’ he exclaimed disgustedly.

‘The village louts shout doggerel at her and the servants have been unpleasant. I don’t want her to be subjected to any more Portcarrow humour in the form of practical jokes.’

‘There’s no chance of that, surely. Or don’t you think Miss Cost inspired that lot?’

‘I think she inspired them, all right, but they might be continued in her permanent absence; the habit having been formed and Miss Pride’s unpopularity having increased.’

‘Absolute idiocy!’ he said angrily.

‘I think, as a matter of fact, I’ve probably stopped the rot but it’s better for her to get away from the place.’

‘You know, I very much doubt if the channel will be negotiable in the morning. This looks like being the worst storm we’ve had for years. In any case it’ll be devilishly awkward getting her aboard the launch. We don’t want a broken leg.’

‘Of course not. We’ll simply have to wait and see what the day brings forth. If you’re going to visit her, you might warn her about the possibility, will you?’

‘Yes, certainly.’

They were silent for a moment. A sudden onslaught of the gale beat against The Boy-and-Lobster and screamed in the chimney. ‘Well, good night,’ Alleyn said.

He had got as far as the door when Dr Maine said: ‘There is one thing you perhaps ought to know about Elspeth Cost.’

‘Yes?’

‘She lived in a world of fantasy. Again, with women of her temperament, condition and age, it’s a not unusual state of affairs, but with her its manifestations were extreme.’

‘Was she in consequence a liar?’