‘Well, as you’ve heard: Ximenes-class crosswords. Ciphers. And old manuscripts. He’s quite an antiquarian, I’m told, is Charles. Jer says he’s one of those characters who possess an infallible nose for a rare item. He spends half his time among the sixpenny and shilling bins in Long Acre and the Charing Cross Road. Good, conscientious actor. Minor public school and drama academy.’

‘Did all the members of the company know each other before this production?’

‘Oh, yes. Except Emily. She’s at the beginning,’ Peregrine said tenderly, ‘and doesn’t know many people in the West End yet.’

‘Tell me, are you familiar with Harry Grove’s overcoats?’

‘I caught sight of him going away the other night wearing a contraption that screamed its way up the lane like a fire-engine and heard a lot of carry-on about it among the company.’

‘What was it?’

‘I wasn’t close enough to – ‘ Peregrine’s voice faded. He gaped at Alleyn. ‘Oh no!’ he said. ‘It can’t be. It’s not possible.’

‘What?’

‘On – on Henry Jobbins?’

‘Grove gave his overcoat to Jobbins on Friday evening. He said nobody seemed to like it. Didn’t you know?’

Peregrine shook his head.

‘I can’t imagine,’ he said slowly, ‘I simply can not imagine why I didn’t recognize it on poor Jobbins. I actually cracked a joke about it and he said it was a present.’

‘Perhaps the scarf made a difference.’

‘Scarf? I don’t think he had a scarf on?’

‘Did he not? A bright yellow scarf?’

‘Wait. Yes,’ said Peregrine, looking sick, ‘of course. I – I remember. Afterwards.’

‘But not before? When you spoke to him?’

‘I don’t remember it then. It wasn’t showing.’

‘Please say nothing about the overcoat, Jay. It’s of the first importance that you don’t. Not even,’ Alleyn said with a friendly air, ‘to your Emily.’

‘Very well. May I know why it matters so much?’ Alleyn told him.

‘Yes, I see. But it won’t really get you much further, will it?’

‘If nobody knows of the transfer – ’

‘Yes, of course. Stupid of me.’

‘And that really is all. I’m sorry to have kept you such an unconscionable time.’

Peregrine went to the door, hesitated and turned back.

‘I’ll do my best,’ he said, ‘to write down my Conduciae or should it be Conducii?’

‘Or Conduciosis? Never mind. I’m glad you’ve decided to help. Thank you. Could you let me have it as soon as it’s ready?’

‘Yes. All right. Where will you be?’

‘Here for another hour I should think. And then wherever developments send me. We’ll leave a PC on duty in the theatre. If I’ve gone he’ll take a message. Do you really mind doing this?’

‘No. Not if it’s remotely useful.’

‘There now!’ said Alleyn. ‘Goodbye for the moment, then. On your way out, would you ask Mr Knight to come in?’