‘There’ll be no need for that, sir, thank you.’

Alleyn spun round on his heel to see Fox, fully dressed and wearing his bowler hat, standing in the doorway.

CHAPTER 19
The Chief Constable as Watson

‘I’ve reported for duty, if you please, Mr Alleyn,’ said Fox.

‘You unspeakable old ninny,’ said Alleyn, ‘go back to bed.’

‘With all respect, sir, I’d rather not. I’ve had a very pleasant nap and am quite myself again. So if you’ll allow me—’

‘Br’er Fox,’ said Alleyn, ‘are we to have a row?’

‘I hope not, sir, I’m sure,’ said Fox tranquilly. ‘Six years I think it is now, and never a moment’s unpleasantness, thanks to your tact and consideration.’

‘Damn you, go to bed.’

‘If it’s all the same to you, sir, I’d rather—’

‘Mr Fox,’ Alleyn began very loudly and stopped short. They stared at each other. Harper coughed and moved to the door. Alleyn swore violently, seized Fox by the arm, and shoved him into an armchair. He then knelt on the harlequin rug and lit the fire.

‘I’d be obliged, Nick,’ said Alleyn over his shoulder, ‘if you’d bring Colonel Brammington here. Would you explain that circumstances over which I appear to have no control oblige me to remain at the Plume of Feathers?’

‘I’m quite able to drive—’ Fox began.

‘You shut up,’ said Alleyn warmly.

Harper went out.

‘Offences against discipline,’ said Alleyn, ‘are set forth in the Police Regulations under seventeen headings, including neglect of duty and disobedience to orders, together with a general heading covering discreditable conduct.’ He looked up from the fire. ‘Discreditable conduct,’ he repeated.

Fox was shaken with a soundless subterranean chuckle.

‘I’m going into the taproom,’ said Alleyn. ‘If you move out of that chair I’ll damn well serve you with a Misconduct Form. See Regulation 13.’

‘I’ll get the super in as my witness, sir,’ said Fox. ‘See Regulation 17.’ And at this pointless witticism he went off into an ecstasy of apoplectic mirth.

Alleyn returned to the taproom where Oates still kept guard. Miss Darragh was knitting in the ingle-nook, Parish stood near the shuttered windows, Cubitt was drawing in the battered sketch-book he always carried in his pocket. Abel Pomeroy sat disconsolately in one of his own settles. Will glowered in a corner. Mr Nark wore the expression of one who has been made to feel unpopular.

Alleyn said, ‘You may open up again if you wish, Mr Pomeroy. I’m sorry to have kept you all so long. Until you and your rooms had been searched, we had no alternative. Tomorrow, you will be asked to sign the statements you have made to Mr Harper. In the meantime, if you wish, you may go to your rooms. You will not be allowed to leave the premises until further orders. Mr Nark may go home.’