"And then there was a scene—a scene in a whisper. We had had them before. I was used to it. He was quite beside himself with jealousy, and threatened me with all sorts of things. Then he became maudlin and shed tears. I'd never seen him like that before."

"With what did he threaten you?"

"He told me," said Miss Vaughan gently, "that he would drag my name in the mud. He said he would stop Felix marrying me. Really, if Felix had been shot, I should not have wondered. Arthur looked murderous. I think he did it himself."

"Do you? Had he that sort of rogue's courage?"

"I think so. He hoped Felix would be accused."

"Where was he?" asked Alleyn, "when he struck you?"

"How do you mean? I was sitting where you left me—on the small chair in my room. He was standing, I think, about as far off as you are now."

"With his left hand, then?"

"No. I don't know. I can't remember, I'm afraid. Perhaps if you were to do it—but gently, please—I might remember."

Alleyn moved his right arm and Nigel saw his hand against the left side of her throat.

"It would be there, on your face," he said. "I think it must have been with his left hand, and even then it would be a strange sort of blow."

"He was drunk."

"So everyone keeps telling me. Could he not have been behind you? Like this."

Alleyn stood behind her and laid his right hand on her right shoulder. Nigel was suddenly and vividly reminded of the scene in the dressing-room, when Gardener had stood, touching her in the same way, and laughing at Alleyn's remark about Edgar Wallace.

"My hand falls exactly over the bruise," said Alleyn. "Am I hurting you?"

"No."

"Let me draw up your wrap. You are cold."

"Thank you."

"Do you think that could have been the way of it?"

"Perhaps. He was lurching about the room. I really don't remember."

"You must have been terrified."

"No. He was not a terrifying man, but I was glad Felix had gone. I managed to get rid of Arthur and then I went to Felix's room."

"Next door?"

"Yes. I said nothing about the blow on my shoulder. Beadle was there but left as soon as I went in. Then I told Felix it had all petered out."

"What did he say?"

"He said that Arthur was a drunken pig, but that in a way he was sorry for him. He said I must let him speak to Mister Surbonadier and tell him to behave himself, and that he wouldn't have me worried like that."

"Quite temperate about it?"