Footsteps padded across the beams overhead, and when Miss Darragh spoke, it was from a different place. She had moved, perhaps to look at the sketch, and now stood near the edge of the jetty. Her voice, seeming very close, was startlingly clear.

‘I promise you,’ she said, ‘that I’ll do my best, but I’ll not commit perjury—’

‘Perjury!’ said Legge irritably. He had followed her.

‘Well, whatever it is. I’ll do my best. I’ve no fear at all of their suspecting you, for they’ll have their wits about them and will soon see it’s impossible.’

‘But don’t you see—they’ll think—they’ll tell every one—’

‘I can see it’s going to be hard on you and I’ve got my—you know well enough why I feel bound to help you. That’ll do now. Rest easy, and we’ll hope for the best.’

‘Don’t forget how I came to my trouble.’

‘I do not and I will not. Be off, now, for it’s getting late. I’ve finished me little peep and it’s nothing better than a catastrophe; me mind was not on ut. We’d best not be seen walking back together.’

‘I’m at your mercy,’ said Legge. And they heard him walk away.

II

Alleyn and Fox breakfasted in the dining-room. Cubitt and Parish were nowhere to be seen, but Miss Darragh sat at a corner table and gave them good morning as they came in. Alleyn knew that from behind the paper she watched them pretty closely. He caught her at it twice, but she did not seem to be at all embarrassed and the second time twinkled and smiled at him.

‘I see you’ve no paper,’ said Miss Darragh. ‘Would you like to have a look at the Illington Courier?’

‘Thank you so much,’ said Alleyn, and crossed over to the table.

‘You’re Mr Roderick Alleyn are ye not?’

Alleyn bowed.

‘Ah, I knew you from your likeness to your brother George,’ said Miss Darragh.

‘I am delighted that you knew me,’ said Alleyn, ‘but I’ve never thought that my brother George and I were much alike.’

‘Ah, there’s a kind of a family resemblance. And then, of course, I knew you were here, for the landlord told me. You’re a good deal better-looking than your brother George. He used to stay with me cousins, the Sean O’Darraghs for Punchestown. I met ‘um there. I’m Violet Darragh so now you know who ‘tis that’s so bold with you.’

‘Miss Darragh,’ said Alleyn, ‘would you spare us a moment when you have finished your breakfast?’

‘I would. Is it about this terrible affair?’

‘Yes.’