‘Madam told me. She said she had something very serious to talk to me about. She as good as said I’d been suspected of prying into the workroom. You could have pulled me to pieces with a pin, I was that taken aback. And riled! I reckon my manner was convincing, because she was satisfied. I ought to explain, Mr Alleyn, that I myself had heard somebody that night. I’m a light sleeper and I heard someone all right and it wasn’t either of the young gents. They get spasms of working late but they don’t bother to tiptoe into the workroom. I got out of bed, you bet, and had a look, but it was all quiet and after a bit I give up. I told Madam. She was very put about. Naturally. I satisfied her, of course, but it was awkward and what’s more I’d evidently missed a bit of funny business. Who was it, any way, in the passage? I’m a sweet little agent, and that’s a fact. But before we parted she says: “Markins,” she says, “there’s something I don’t like about this business and next time I go up to Wellington,” she says, “I’m going to speak about it to the authorities. I’m going to suggest that the young gentlemen work under proper protection,” she says, “in their own interest, and I shall tell the Captain what I’ve decided.” What I cannot understand,’ said Markins, pulling at his thin underlip, ‘is why the Captain got it into his head I was an agent.’

‘Perhaps you look like one, Markins.’

‘I begin to think I must, Mr Alleyn, but I’d prefer it was the British variety.’

‘Actually, you know, the circumstances were a bit suspicious. He opened his bedroom door and saw a light disappear in the direction of your room. That afternoon, as you yourself admit, you’d come upon Captain Grace and Mr Losse arranging where they’d leave the key of the workroom. I think he had some cause for alarm.’

Markins darted a very sharp glance at Alleyn. ‘She never said a word about that,’ he said.

‘She didn’t?’

‘Not a word. Only that the Captain was upset because he thought I’d been poking about the passage late at night. I didn’t hear what they were saying that afternoon. They spoke too low and stopped as soon as they saw me.’ He gave a thoughtful hiss. ‘That’s different. It’s a whole lot different. Saw something did he?’

‘A light,’ said Alleyn and repeated Douglas’s account of the night prowler.

‘The only tangible bit of evidence and I miss it,’ said Markins. ‘That’s the way to get promotion. I’m disgusted.’