Markins eyed him dubiously. Alleyn, after a moment’s hesitation, went to him and touched him lightly on the shoulder. ‘Come,’ he said, ‘it’s not as bad as all that. There will be music again.’

‘There’s as neat a case against that boy as you’d wish to see,’ said Markins. ‘Isn’t that right, sir? He’s signed a statement admitting he did go into the shed, and we’ve only his word for it that the rest of the yarn’s not a tarradiddle. D’you think they’ll take his youth into consideration and send him to a reformatory?’

Alleyn was prevented from answering this question by the entrance of Tommy Johns, white to the lips and shaking with rage.

‘I’m that boy’s father,’ he began, standing before Alleyn and lowering his head like an angry monkey, ‘and I won’t stand for this third degree business. You’ve had him in here and grilled him till he’s broke down and said anything you liked to put into his mouth. They may be your ways, wherever you come from, but they’re not ours in this country and we won’t take it. I’ll make a public example of you. He’s out there, poor kid, all broke up and that weak and queer he’s not responsible for himself. I told him to keep his trap shut, silly young tyke, and as soon as he gets out of my sight this is what you do to him. Has anything been took down against him? Has he put his name to anything? By God, if he has, I’ll bring an action against you.’

‘Cliff has made a statement,’ Alleyn said, ‘and has signed it. In my opinion it’s a true statement.’

‘You’ve no right to make him do it. What’s your standing? You’ve no bloody right.’

‘On the contrary I am fully authorized by your police. Cliff has taken the only possible course to protect himself. I repeat that I believe him to have told the truth. When he’s got over the effects of the experiment he may want to talk to you about it. Until then, if I may advise you, I should leave him to himself.’

‘You’re trying to swing one across me.’

‘No.’

‘You reckon he done it. You’re looking for a case against him.’

‘Without much looking, there is already a tenable case against him. At the moment, however, I don’t think he committed either of these assaults. But, as you are here, Mr Johns—’

‘You’re lying,’ Tommy Johns interjected with great energy.

‘—I feel I should point out that your own alibis are in both instances extremely sketchy.’