‘But I want to know, Harkness! How can I stop fussing! My God, what a thing to say! I want to know what they’re thinking and saying. I’ve a right to know. Alleyn, for God’s sake tell me. You don’t suspect – anyone close to her, do you? I can stand anything but that. Not – not the boy?’

‘As things stand,’ Alleyn said, ‘there’s no case against him.’

‘Ah!’ Charles sighed and closed his eyes. ‘Thank God for that.’ He moved restlessly and his breath came short.

‘It’s all these allusions and hints and evasions …’ he began excitedly. ‘Why can’t I be told things! Why not? Do you suspect me! Do you? Then for Christ’s sake let’s have it and be done with it.’

Harkness came over to the bed. ‘This won’t do at all,’ he said, and to Alleyn: ‘Out.’

‘Yes, of course,’ Alleyn said, and went out. He heard Charles panting: ‘But I want to talk to him,’ and Harkness trying to reassure him.

When Marchant went into the drawing-room Timon Gantry, Colonel Warrender, Pinky Cavendish and Bertie Saracen were sitting disconsolately in armchairs before a freshly tended fire. Richard and Anelida were together at some remove from the others and PC Philpott attended discreedy in the background. When Marchant came in, Pinky and Bertie made a little dash at him and Richard stood up. Marchant kissed Pinky with ritual solemnity, squeezed Bertie’s arm, nodded at Gantry, and advanced upon Richard with soft extended hand.

‘Dear boy!’ he said. ‘What can one say! Oh, my dear Dicky!’

Richard appeared to permit, rather than return, a long pressure of his hand. Marchant added a manly grip of his shoulder and moved on to acknowledge, more briefly, Anelida and Colonel Warrender. His prestige was unmistakable. He said any number of highly appropriate things. They listened to him dolefully and appeared to be relieved when at last Alleyn came in.

Alleyn said: ‘Before going any further, Mr Marchant, I think I should make it quite clear that any questions I may put to you will be raised with the sole object of clearing innocent persons of suspicion and of helping towards the solution of an undoubted case of homicide. Mary Bellamy has been murdered; I believe by someone who is now in this house. You will understand that matters of personal consideration or professional reticence can’t be allowed to obstruct an investigation of this sort. Any attempt to withhold information may have disastrous results. On the other hand, information that turns out to be irrelevant, as yours, of course, may, will be entirely wiped out. Is that understood?’

Gantry said: ‘In my opinion, Monty, we should take legal advice.’

Marchant looked thoughtfully at him.

‘You are at liberty to do so,’ Alleyn said. ‘You are also at liberty to refuse to answer any or all questions until the arrival of your solicitor. Suppose you hear the questions and then decide.’