‘He’s still in his study with a Colonel Warrender who seems to be a relative. Mr Templeton had a heart-attack after the event. The doctor says he’s subject to them. Colonel Warrender and Mr Gantry took him into his dressing-room there, and then the colonel broke up and went downstairs. Mr Templeton was still lying in there when I came up, but I suggested the colonel should take him down to the study. They didn’t seem to fancy the move, but I wanted to clear the ground. It’s awkward,’ Mr Fox said, ‘having people next door to the body.’

Alleyn went into the dressing-room, leaving the door open. ‘Change of atmosphere,’ Fox heard him remark. ‘Very masculine. Very simple. Very good. Who gave him a hot bottle?’

‘Florence. The doctor says the old nurse went in later, to take a look at him. By all accounts she’s a bossy old cup of tea and likes her drop of port wine.’

‘This,’ Alleyn said, ‘is the house of a damn’ rich man. And woman, I suppose.’

‘He’s a big name in the City, isn’t he?’

‘He is indeed. C. G. Templeton. He brought off that coup with Eastland Transport two years ago. Reputation of being an implacable chap to run foul of.’

‘The servants seem to fancy him. The cook says he must have everything just so. One slip and you’re out. But well liked. He’s taken this very hard. Very shaky when I saw him but easy to handle. The colonel was tougher.’

‘Either of them strike you as being the form for a woman poisoner?’

‘Not a bit like it,’ Fox said cheerfully.

‘They tell me you never know?’

‘That’s right. So they say.’

They went out. Fox locked the door. ‘Not that it makes all that difference,’ he sighed. ‘The keys on this floor are inter-changeable. As usual. However,’ he added brightening, ‘I’ve taken the liberty of removing all the others.’

‘You’ll get the sack one of these days. Come on.’ They went downstairs.

‘The remaining guests,’ Fox said, ‘are in the second room on the right. They’re the lot who were with deceased up to the time she left the conservatory and the only ones who went outside the reception area before the speeches began. And, by the way, sir, up to the time the speeches started, there was a photographer and a moving camera unit blocking the foot of the stairs and for the whole period a kind of bar with a man mixing drinks right by the back stairs. I’ve talked to the man concerned and he says nobody but the nurse and Florence went up while he was on duty. This is deceased’s sitting-room. Or boudoir. The study is the first on the right.’

‘Where’s the quack?’

‘In the glasshouse with a hangover. Shall I stir him up?’

‘Thank you.’