‘There’s this much to be said. If you’ll prove to me that you couldn’t have dodged up that blasted track and had a whack at poor Losse, I’ll be profoundly grateful to you. There are too many suspects in this case. The house is littered with them.’

‘I’ve told you,’ said Douglas, who seemed to hover between alarm and disapproval. ‘I’ve told you what I did. I went out on the lawn, and I came upstairs and knocked at Terry’s door. I said goodnight.’

‘Most unnecessary. You’d already said goodnight to her. You might have been establishing an alibi.’

‘Good God, you saw me yourself when you came upstairs!’

‘Fully ten minutes later. Longer.’

‘I was in my pyjamas,’ Douglas shouted.

‘I saw you. Your pyjamas prove nothing. I’m completely unmoved by your pyjamas.’

‘Look here, this is too much. Why would I want to go for Fabian? I’m fond of him. We’re partners. Good Lord!’ Douglas fumed, ‘you can’t mean what you’re saying. Haven’t I urged him to be careful over the work? Why should I go for old Fab?’

‘For me.’

‘Damn! For you, then. You’re supposed to be the blasted expert.’

‘And as an expert, God save the mark, I’m keeping my eye on the whole boiling of you, and that’s flat.’

‘Well, I don’t think you put it very nicely,’ said Douglas, staring at him, and he added angrily, ‘What’s the matter with your face?’

‘Somebody hit it. It’s very stiff and has probably turned purple.’

Douglas gaped at him. ‘Hit you!’ he repeated.

‘Yes, but it’s of the smallest consequence, now you’ve appointed yourself my guardian.’

‘Who hit you?’

‘It’s a secret at the moment.’

‘Here!’ said Douglas loudly, ‘are you pulling my leg?’ He looked anxiously at Alleyn. ‘It’s a funny sort of way to behave,’ he said dubiously. ‘Oh, well,’ he added, ‘I’m sorry if I got my rag out, sir.’

‘Not a bit,’ said Alleyn. ‘It’s always irritating to be a suspect.’

‘I wish you wouldn’t keep on like that,’ said Douglas fretfully. ‘It’s damned unpleasant. I hoped I might be allowed to help. I’d like to help.’

‘We’re talking in circles. Beat me up a respectable alibi, with witnesses, for the murder of your aunt and the attack on Losse and I’ll take you to my professional bosom with alacrity.’

‘By God,’ said Douglas with feeling, ‘I wish I could.’

‘In the meantime, will you, without prejudice, undertake to do three things for me?’

‘Of course!’ he said stiffly. ‘Anything at all. Naturally.’

‘The first is to see I get a fair field and no interference in the wool-shed, from daybreak tomorrow until I let you know I’ve finished. I can’t do any good there at night, by the light of a farthing dip.’

‘Right-oh, sir. Can do.’