They watched Thomas walk slowly up the steps, push open the great door, and pause for a second in the shadowy lobby. Then he turned and the door closed between them.

‘Now, Fox,’ Alleyn said, ‘you and I will go into the school. I think the best thing we can do is to ask her to come back with us to London and make a statement. Awkward if she refuses, but if she does we’ll have to take the next step. Drive back to the end of the building there.’

The car was turned, and stopped again at a smaller door in the west wing. ‘Thompson, you and Bream wait back there in the car. If we want you, we’ll get you. Come on, Fox.’

They got out. The car moved away. They had turned to the doorway when Alleyn heard his name called. Thomas was coming down the steps from the main entrance. He ran towards them, his coat flapping, and waved his arm.

‘Alleyn! Alleyn! Stop!’

‘Now what?’ Alleyn said.

Thomas was breathless when he reached them. He laid his hands on the lapels of Alleyn’s coat. His face was colourless and his lips shook. ‘You’ve got to come,’ he said. ‘It’s frightful. Something frightful’s happened. Sonia’s in there, horribly ill. Withers says she’s been poisoned. He says she’s going to die.’

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

The Last Appearance of Miss O.

THEY HAD CARRIED HER into a small bedroom in the school.

When Alleyn and Fox, accompanied as far as the door by Thomas, walked unheralded into the room, they found Dr Withers in the act of turning Pauline and Desdemona out of it. Pauline appeared to be in an advanced state of hysteria.

‘Out, both of you. At once, please. Mrs Ancred and I can do all that is necessary. And Miss Able.’

‘A curse. That’s what I feel. There’s a curse upon this house. That’s what it is, Dessy.’

‘Out, I say. Miss Ancred, take this note. I’ve written it clearly. Ring up my surgery and tell them to send the things up immediately the car arrives. Can your brother drive my car? Very well.’

‘There’s a man and a car outside,’ Alleyn said. ‘Fox, take the note, will you?’

Pauline and Desdemona, who had backed before the doctor to the door, turned at the sound of Alleyn’s voice, uttered incoherent cries, and darted past him into the passage. Fox, having secured the note, followed them.

‘What the hell are you doing here!’ Dr Withers demanded. ‘Get out!’ He glared at Alleyn and turned back to the bed. Millamant Ancred and Caroline Able were stooped above it, working, it seemed with difficulty, over something that struggled and made harsh inhuman noises. A heavy stench hung in the air.