He stood up. ‘All right,’ he said. ‘As a police officer it’s my duty to tell you that I think it extremely unwise for you to go to Portcarrow. As a grateful, elderly, ex-pupil, I assure you that I shall be extremely fussed about you if you’re obstinate enough to persist in your plan. Dear Miss Emily,’ said Alleyn, with a change of tone, ‘do, for the love of Mike, pipe down and stay where you are.’

‘You would have been successful,’ she said, ‘if you had continued in the Corps Diplomatique. I have never comprehended why you elected to change.’

‘Obviously, I’ve had no success in this instance.’

‘No. I shall go. But I am infinitely obliged to you, Roderique.’

‘I suppose this must be put down to the wild strain in your blood.’

‘Possibly.’ Indicating that the audience was concluded, she rose and reverted to French. ‘You will give my fondest salutations to your wife and son?’

‘Thank you. Troy sent all sorts of messages to you.’

‘You appear to be a little fatigued. When is your vacation?’

‘When I can snatch it. I hope, quite soon,’ Alleyn said and was at once alarmed by a look of low cunning in Miss Emily. ‘Please don’t go,’ he begged her.

She placed her hand in the correct position to be kissed. ‘Au revoir,’ she said, ‘et mille remerciements.’

‘Mes hommages, madame,’ said Alleyn crossly. With the profoundest misgivings he took his leave of Miss Emily.

II

It was nine o’clock in the evening when the London train reached Dunlowman where one changed for the Portcarrow bus. On alighting, Jenny was confronted by several posters depicting a fanciful Green Lady across whose image was superimposed a large notice advertising ‘The Festival of the Spring.’ She had not recovered from this shock when she received a second one in the person of Patrick Ferrier. There he was, looking much the same after nearly two years, edging his way through the crowd, quite a largish one, that moved towards the barrier. ‘Jenny!’ he called. ‘Hi! I’ve come to meet you.’

‘But it’s miles and miles!’ Jenny cried, delighted to see him.

‘A bagatelle. Hold on. Here I come.’

He reached her and seized her suitcases. ‘This is fun,’ he said. ‘I’m so glad.’