Major Barrimore contemplated his step-son with an unattractive smile. ‘Charming!’ he said. ‘Now, I know exactly how I should behave, don’t I?’ He appeared to undergo a change of mood and illustrated it by executing a wide gesture and then burying his face in his hands. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said and his voice was muffled. ‘Give me a moment.’

Patrick turned his back and walked over to the window. The Major looked up. His eyes were bloodshot and his expression dolorous. ‘Bad show,’ he said. ‘Apologize. Not myself. Truth of the matter is, I got a bit plastered last night and this has hit me rather hard.’ He stood up and made a great business of straightening his shoulders and blowing his nose. ‘As you were,’ he said bravely. ‘Take my orders from you. What’s the drill?’

‘Really, there isn’t any at the moment,’ Alleyn said cheerfully. ‘If you can persuade your guests not to collect round the enclosure or use the path to it we’ll be very grateful. As soon as possible we’ll get the approaches cordoned off and that will settle the matter, won’t it? And now, if you’ll excuse me – ’

He was about to go when Major Barrimore said: ‘Quite so. Talk to the troops, what? Well – sooner the better.’ He put his hand on Alleyn’s arm. ‘Sorry, old boy,’ he said gruffly. ‘Sure you understand.’

He frowned, came to attention and marched out.

‘Not true,’ Patrick said to the window. ‘Just not true.’

Alleyn said: ‘Never mind,’ and left him.

When he re-entered the main buildings he found Major Barrimore the centre of a group of guests who showed every sign of disgruntlement tempered with avid curiosity. He was in tremendous form. ‘Now, I know you’re going to be perfectly splendid about this,’ he was saying. ‘It’s an awful disappointment to all of us and it calls for that good old British spirit of tolerance and understanding. Take it on the chin and look as if you liked it, what? And you can take it from me – ’ He was still in full cry as Alleyn walked up the stairs and went to call on Miss Emily.

III

She was of course dressed for travel. Her luggage, as he saw through the open door, was ready. She was wearing her toque.

He told her what had happened. Miss Emily’s sallow complexion whitened. She looked very fixedly at him and did not interrupt.

‘Roderique,’ she said when he had finished. ‘This is my doing. I am responsible.’

‘Now, my dearest Miss Emily –’

‘No. Please. Let me look squarely at the catastrophe. This foolish woman has been mistaken for me. There is no doubt in my mind at all. It declares itself. If I had obeyed the intention and not the mere letter of the undertaking I gave you, this would not have occurred.’

‘You went to the Spring this morning with your notice?’