‘Possibly, Br’er Fox. We may have to resort to plumbing. His whole object would be to get rid of them immediately. He didn’t know when we mightn’t take a glass of sherry. Now there’s a valuable axiom which you, Colonel, have pointed out. The criminal is very prone to repetition. How did Legge get rid of the iodine bottle. He smashed it and threw the thick pieces into the fire. When he had more glass to get rid of in a hurry, wouldn’t he at once think of his former method? He’s a very unusual criminal if he didn’t. There was no fire here, but during the afternoon he made several trips to the garage. He was packing some of his books in the car. I think our first move is to search the car and the garage. It’s full of junk so it will be a delightful task.’

Alleyn turned to Oates.

‘Would you like to begin, Oates?’

‘Yes, sir, thank you, sir.’

‘Search the car and garage thoroughly. I’ll join you in ten minutes.’

‘Methodical, now,’ said Harper, ‘remember what I’ve told you.’

‘Yes, sir.’

Oates went out.

‘I think Mrs Ives is still about,’ said Alleyn. ‘She works late.’

‘I’ll see if I can find her, sir,’ said Fox.

‘You’ll stay where you are. I’ll go,’ said Alleyn.

Mrs Ives had gone to her room but had got no further than her first row of curling pins. Alleyn interviewed her in Legge’s room. She’d taken a cup of tea up to him in the afternoon when he was packing his books. She couldn’t say exactly when, but knew it was after three and before four o’clock. She had noticed the ear-lotion and dropper on top of his dressing-table.

‘Particular, I noticed it,’ said Mrs Ives, ‘along of it being wet and marking wood. Usually, of a morning, it’s all mucky with that pink stuff he puts in his ears. “About time you washed that thing,” I said, “and I see you’ve done it.” He seemed quite put-about. Well, you know, put-about, like, at my noticing.’

‘And did you go away soon after that, Mrs Ives?’

‘Well, sir, seeing I was not welcome,’ said Mrs Ives, bridling a little, ‘I went. I offered to help him with his books but he seemed like he didn’t fancy it, so I went on with my work upstairs. Polishing floor, I was.’

‘Which floor did you polish when you left Mr Legge?’

‘Passage, sir, and I might of saved myself the trouble, seeing he come and went to and fro from yard half a dozen times, stepping round me and dropping muck from his papers and passels.’

‘Did he go into the bathroom or any other room upstairs?’