‘You left as the result of a misunderstanding with your uncle?’

‘Yes.’

‘I’m afraid I shall have to ask you to tell me about it.’

‘I—it’s got nothing to do with this—this awful business. It’s not too pleasant to remember. I’d rather not—’

‘You see,’ said Alleyn, ‘there was some point in my solemn opening speech.’ He got up and reached out a long hand, and touched Donald’s shoulder. ‘Come,’ he said. ‘I know it’s not easy.’

‘It wasn’t that I didn’t like him.’

‘I can’t believe anyone could dislike him. What was the trouble? Your debts?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then why did you quarrel?’

‘He wanted me to go to Edinburgh to take my medical.’

‘And you didn’t want to go?’

‘No.’

‘Why?’

‘I thought it would be so damned dull. I wanted to go to Thomas’s. He had agreed to that.’

Alleyn returned to his seat at the desk. ‘What made him change his mind?’ he asked.

‘This business about my debts.’

‘Nothing else?’

Donald ground out his cigarette with a trembling hand and shook his head.

‘Did he object to any of your friends, for instance?’ Alleyn asked.

‘I—well, he may have thought—I mean, it wasn’t that.’

‘Did he know you were acquainted with Captain Maurice Withers?’

Donald darted a glance of profound astonishment at Alleyn, opened his mouth, shut it again, and finally said:

‘I think so.’

‘Aren’t you certain?’

‘He knew I was friendly with Withers. Yes.’

‘Did he object to this friendship?’

‘He did say something, now I come to think about it.’

‘It didn’t leave any particular impression on you?’

‘Oh, no,’ said Donald.

Alleyn brought his hand down sharply on Lord Robert’s cheque book.

‘Then, I take it,’ he said, ‘you have forgotten a certain cheque for fifty pounds.’

Donald stared at the long thin hand lying across the blue cover. A dull flush mounted to the roots of his hair.

‘No,’ he said, ‘I remember.’

‘Did he pay this amount to Withers on your behalf?’

‘Yes.’

‘And yet it left no particular impression on you?’

‘There were,’ said Donald, ‘so many debts.’

‘Your uncle knew you were friendly with this man. He had certain information about him. I know that. I ask you whether, in fact, he did not object most strongly to your connection with Withers?’

‘If you like to put it that way.’

‘For God’s sake,’ said Alleyn, ‘don’t hedge with me. I want to give you every chance.’

‘You—don’t—think—I—’