Alleyn stopped short in the act of getting out. ‘What? Isn’t she there?’

‘Circumstances,’ Bream said indistinctly, ‘over which I ‘ad no control, intervened, sir.’ He waved an arm at a bicycle leaning against the pub. The front tyre hung in a deflated festoon about the axle. ‘Rubber being not of the best—’

‘Where is she?’

‘On my arrival, having run one mile and a quarter—’

‘Where is she?’

‘Hup,’ said Bream miserably, ‘at the ’ouse.’

‘Get in here and tell us on the way.’

Bream wedged himself into one of the tip-up seats and the driver turned the car. ‘Quick as you can,’ Alleyn said. ‘Now, Bream.’

‘Having received instructions, sir, by telephone, from the Super at Camber Cross, me having my dinner at the pub, I proceeded upon my bicycle in the direction of Ancreton ’Alt at eleven-fifty a.m.’

‘All right, all right,’ said Fox. ‘And your tyre blew out.’

‘At eleven-fifty-one, sir, she blew on me. I inspected the damage, and formed the opinion it was impossible to proceed on my bicycle. Accordingly I ran.’

‘You didn’t run fast enough, seemingly. Don’t you know you’re supposed to keep yourself fit in the force?’ said Fox severely.

‘I ran, sir,’ Bream rejoined with dignity, ‘at the rate of one mile in ten minutes and arrived at the ’Alt at twelve-four, the train ’aving departed at twelve-one, and the ladies in the pony-carriage being still in view on the road to the Manor.’

‘The ladies?’ said Alleyn.

‘There was two of them. I attempted to attract their attention by raising my voice, but without success. I then returned to the pub, picking up that there cantankerous bike ong rowt.’

Fox muttered to himself.

‘I reported by phone to the Super. He give me a blast, and said he would ring the Manor and request the lady in question to return. She ’as not done so.’

‘No,’ Alleyn said. ‘I imagine she’d see him damned first.’

The car turned in at the great entrance and climbed through the woods. Half-way up the drive they met what appeared to be the entire school, marching and singing under the leadership of Miss Caroline Able’s assistant. They stood aside to let the car pass. Alleyn could not see Panty among them.

‘Not their usual time for a walk,’ said Thomas.

The car drew up at last into the shadow of the enormous house.

‘If nothing else has gone cock-eyed,’ Alleyn said, ‘she’ll be in the school.’

Thomas cried out in alarm: ‘Are you talking about Caroline Able?’

‘No. See here, Ancred. We’re going into the school. There’s a separate entrance back there, and we’ll use it. Will you go into this part of the house and please say nothing about our arrival?’

‘Well, all right,’ said Thomas, ‘though I must say I don’t quite see—’

‘It’s all very confusing. Away you go.’