‘I don’t say that,’ he said. ‘I wondered. But I don’t think one should attach too much importance to what Watchman said.’ And like Parish, he added, ‘if you’d ever met him you’d understand.’

Alleyn did not think it necessary to say that he had met Watchman. He said, ‘Can you remember anything definite that seemed to point to recognition?’

‘It was more the way Luke spoke than what he actually said,’ explained Parish. ‘He kept talking about Legge’s job and sort of suggesting he’d done pretty well for himself. Didn’t he, Norman?’

‘I seem to remember a phrase about leading the people by the nose,’ said Cubitt, ‘which sounded rather offensive. And the way Luke invited Legge to play round-the-clock was not exactly the glass of fashion or the mould of form. He asked Legge if he’d ever done time.’

‘Oh,’ said Alleyn.

‘But it all sounds far too solemn and significant when you haul it out and display it like this.’

‘Any one would think,’ said Parish, ‘that you were trying to protect Legge. I thought it was all damned odd.’

‘I’m not trying to protect Legge but I’ve no particular wish to make him sound like a man of mystery. “Who is Mr X?” As far as we know Mr X is a rather dreary little Soviet fan who combines philately with communism and is pretty nippy with the darts. And what’s more I don’t see how he could have infected the dart. In fact I’m prepared to swear he didn’t. I was watching his hands. They’re ugly hands and he’s a clumsy mover. Have you noticed he always fumbles and drops his money when he pays for his drinks? He’s certainly quite incapable of doing any sleight-of-hand stuff with prussic acid.’

Alleyn looked at Fox. ‘That answers your question,’ he said.

‘What question?’ asked Cubitt. ‘Or aren’t we supposed to know?’

‘Fox wondered if Mr Legge could be an expert at legerdemain,’ said Alleyn.

‘Well, you never know. That’s not impossible,’ said Parish. ‘He might be.’

‘I’ll stake my oath he’s not,’ said Cubitt. ‘He’s no more likely to have done it than you are—’

Cubitt caught his breath and for the first time looked profoundly uncomfortable.

‘Which is absurd,’ he added.

Parish turned on Cubitt. His poise had gone and for a moment he looked as though he both hated Cubitt and was afraid of him.

‘You seem very sure of yourself, Norman,’ he said. ‘Apparently my opinion is of no value. I won’t waste any more of Mr Alleyn’s time.’

‘My dear old Seb—’ Cubitt began.