‘I mean,’ Fabian was saying, ‘it’s no use my filling you up with vain repetitions.’

‘When I decided to come,’ said Alleyn, ‘I naturally looked up the case. On my way here I had an exhaustive session with Sub-Inspector Jackson who, as of course you know, is the officer in charge of the investigation.’

‘All he was entitled to do,’ said Fabian with some heat, ‘was to burst into sobs and turn away his face. Did he, by any chance, show you his notes?’

‘I was given full access to the files.’

‘I couldn’t be more sorry for you. And I must say that in comparison with the files even my account may seem a model of lucidity.’

‘At any rate,’ said Alleyn placidly, ‘let’s have it. Pretend I’ve heard nothing.’

He waited while Fabian, driving at fifty miles an hour, lit a cigarette, striking the match across the windscreen and shaking it out carefully before throwing it into the dry tussock.