‘Get the clothes away, but put that other thing on her. Keep her covered as far as possible. That’s right. Take my coat, Mrs Ancred, please; I can’t do with it. Now, we’ll try the emetic again. Careful! Don’t let me break the glass.’

Miss Able moved away with an armful of clothes. Millamant stood back a little, holding the doctor’s jacket, her hands working nervously.

There, on a child’s bed with a gay counterpane, Sonia Orrincourt strained and agonized, the grace of her body distorted by revolt and the beauty of her face obliterated in pain. As Alleyn looked at her, she arched herself and seemed to stare at him. Her eyes were bloodshot; one lid drooped and fluttered and winked. One arm, like that of a mechanical toy, repeatedly jerked up its hand to her forehead in a reiterated salaam.

He waited, at the end of the room, and watched. Dr Withers seemed to have forgotten him. The two women after a startled glance turned again to their task. The harsh cries, the straining and agonizing, rose in an intolerable crescendo.

‘I’m going to give a second injection. Keep the arm still, if you can. Very well, then, get that thing out of the way. Now.’

The door opened a fraction. Alleyn moved to it, saw Fox and slipped through.

‘Our chap ought to be back any minute with the doctor’s gear,’ Fox muttered.

‘Have you rung for Dr Curtis and Co.?’

‘They’re on the way.’

‘Thompson and Bream still on the premises?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Bring them in. Keep the servants in their own quarters. Shut up any rooms she’s been in since she got here. Herd the family together and keep them together.’

‘That’s all been fixed, Mr Alleyn. They’re in the drawing-room.’

‘Good. I don’t want to leave her yet.’

Fox jerked his thumb. ‘Any chance of a statement?’

‘None at the moment, far as I can see. Have you got anything, Fox?’

Fox moved closer to him, and in a toneless bass began to mutter rapidly: ‘She and the doctor and Miss Able had tea together in Miss Able’s room. He’d come up to see the kids. She sent the little Kentish girl through to order it. Didn’t fancy schoolroom tea. Tea set out for the rest of the family in the dining-room. Second tray brought from the pantry by Barker with tea for one. Second pot brewed by Mrs Kentish in the dining-room. Miss Desdemona put some biscuits on the tray. It was handed over to Miss Panty by Mrs Ancred. Miss Panty brought it back here. Miss O. was taken bad straight away before the other two had touched anything. The little girl was there and noticed everything.’

‘Got the tea things?’