But Alleyn scarcely knew he had a body of his own. His body and breath, precariously and dubiously, belonged to Fox. His thoughts were visited by hurrying pictures. He saw a figure that shoved and sweated and set the wheels of a great vehicle in motion. A figure turned and turned again at a crank handle. He was aware, at moments most vividly, of his own glass of untouched sherry on the dressing-table. Fox’s arms were heavy and stiff. Presently his eyes opened. The pupils had widened almost to the rim of the iris, the eyes had no expression. Alleyn’s own eyes were half-blinded with sweat. Suddenly the body on the floor heaved.

‘That’s better,’ said Abel, stooping to the basin, ‘he’m going to vomit again.’

Alleyn turned Fox on his side. Fox neatly and prolifically made use of the basin.

‘Brandy,’ said Alleyn. ‘In a bag in the wardrobe.’

He watched Abel fetch the flask. Alleyn unscrewed the top, smelt at the contents, and took a mouthful. He squatted on his haunches with the brandy in his mouth. The brandy was all right. He swallowed it, poured some into the cap of the flask, and gave it to Fox.

Downstairs the telephone was pealing.

‘Go and answer it,’ said Alleyn.

Abel went out.

‘Fox,’ said Alleyn. ‘Fox, my dear old thing.’

Fox’s lips moved. Alleyn took his handkerchief and wiped that large

face carefully.

‘Very inconvenient,’ said a voice inside Fox. ‘Sorry.’

‘You b—old b—,’ said Alleyn softly.

CHAPTER 18
Mr Legge Commits a Misdemeanour

‘I’m better,’ said Fox presently. ‘I’d like to sit up.’

Alleyn propped him against the bed.

A car pulled outside and in a moment Alleyn heard a clatter of steps and the sound of voices. Abel came in.

‘Yurr be doctor,’ Abel said, ‘and Nick Harper with police. And colonel’s on telephone roaring like proper grampus.’

‘O Lord!’ Alleyn ejaculated. ‘Abel, tell him what’s happened. He’ll probably want to come over here. Apologize for me. Where’s the doctor?’

‘Here,’ said Dr Shaw, and walked in. ‘What’s the trouble? Hallo!’

He went to Fox.

‘I’m better, doctor,’ said Fox. ‘I’ve vomited.’

Dr Shaw took his pulse, looked at his eyes, and nodded.

‘You’ll do,’ he said, ‘but we’ll make a job of it. Come into the bathroom. You’d better keep that matter in the basin, Alleyn.’

He opened his bag, took out a tube, and jerked his head at Fox.

‘Here!’ said Fox resentfully, eyeing the tube.

‘How did it happen?’ asked Dr Shaw.

Harper came in.

‘I’ve left Oates and another man downstairs,’ said Harper. ‘What’s up?’

‘Fox drank a glass of sherry,’ said Alleyn. ‘There’s the glass. We’ll detain all the crowd downstairs. You too, Mr Pomeroy. Go down and join them.’

‘Move along, Abel,’ said Harper.

‘I yurrd, I yurrd,’ grunted Abel irritably, and went out.