She asked him, as Miss Emily had asked him, what would be done with Wally if he was found to be guilty. He gave her the same answer: nothing very dreadful. Wally might be sent to an appropriate institution. It would be a matter for authorized psychiatrists. ‘And they do have successes in these days, you know. On the other hand, Wally may have nothing whatever to do with the case. But I must find out. Murder,’ Alleyn said abruptly, ‘is always abominable. It’s hideous and outlandish. Even when the impulse is understandable and the motive overpowering, it is still a terrible, unique offence. As the law stands, its method of dealing with homicide is, as I think, open to the gravest criticism. But for all that, the destruction of a human being remains what it is: the last outrage.’

He was to wonder after the case had ended, why on earth he had spoken as he did.

Jenny stared out, looking at nothing. ‘You must be an unusual kind of cop,’ she said. And then: ‘OK. I’ll tell Patrick and put on a skirt. I won’t be long.’

The extra constables had arrived and were being briefed by Coombe. They were to patrol the path and stop people climbing about the hills above the enclosure. One of them would be stationed near the outcrop.

Jenny reappeared wearing a white skirt over her bathing dress.

‘Patrick,’ she said, ‘is in a slight sulk. I asked him to pick me up at the cottage.’

‘My fault, of course. I’m sorry.’

‘He’ll get over it,’ she said cheerfully.

They went down the hotel steps. Jenny moved ahead. She walked very quickly past Miss Cost’s shop, not looking at it. A group of visitors stared in at the window. The door was open and there were customers inside.

Coombe said: ‘The girl that helps is carrying on.’

‘Yes. All right. Has she been told not to destroy anything – papers – rubbish – anything?’

‘Well, yes. I mean, I said: just serve the customers and attend to the telephone calls. It’s a sub-station for the Island. One of the last in the country.’

‘I think the shop would be better shut, Coombe. We can’t assume anything at this stage. We’ll have to go through her papers. I suppose the calls can’t be operated through the central station?’

‘Not a chance.’

‘Who is this assistant?’

‘Cissy Pollock. She was that green girl affair in the show. Pretty dim type, is Cissy.’

‘Friendly with Miss Cost?’

‘Thick as thieves, both being hell-bent on the Festival.’

‘Look. Could you wait until the shop clears and then lock up? We’ll have to put somebody on the board or simply tell the subscribers that the Island service is out of order.’

‘The Major’ll go mad. Couldn’t we shut the shop and leave Cissy on the switchboard?’