‘Thompson’s got them. Mrs Ancred kept her head and said they ought to be locked up, but in the fluster of getting the patient out, the tray was knocked over. She left Mrs Kentish to carry on, but Mrs Kentish took hysterics and Isabel swept it up in the finish. Tea and hot water and broken china all over the shop. We ought to get a trace, though, somewhere, if there’s anything. That little girl’s sharp, by gum she is.’

Alleyn laid his hand swiftly on Fox’s arm. In the room the broken sounds changed into a loud and rapid babbling—’Ba-ba-ba-ba’—and stopped abruptly. At the same moment the uniformed driver appeared at the far end of the passage carrying a small case. Alleyn met him, took the case, and, motioning to Fox to come after, reentered the room.

‘Here’s your case, Dr Withers.’

‘All right. Put it down. When you go out, tell those women to get in touch with her people if she’s got any. If they want to see her, they’ll have to be quick.’

‘Fox, will you—?’

Fox slipped away.

‘I said: When you go out,’ Dr Withers repeated angrily.

‘I’m afraid I must stay. This is a police matter, Dr Withers.’

‘I’m perfectly well aware of what’s happened. My duty is to my patient, and I insist on the room being cleared.’

‘If she should become conscious…’ Alleyn began, looking at the terrible face with its half-open eyes and mouth.

‘If she regains consciousness, which she won’t, I’ll inform you.’ Dr Withers opened the case, glanced up at Alleyn and said fiercely: ‘If you don’t clear out I’ll take the matter up with the Chief Constable.’

Alleyn said briskly: ‘That won’t do at all, you know. We’re both on duty here and here we both stay. Your patient’s been given thallium acetate. I suggest that you carry on with the treatment, Dr Withers.’

There was a violent ejaculation from Caroline Able. Millamant said: ‘That’s the ringworm stuff! What nonsense!’

‘How the hell…’ Dr Withers began, and then: ‘Very well. Very well. Sorry. I’m worried. Now, Mrs Ancred, I’ll want your help here. Lay the patient—’

Forty minutes later, without regaining consciousness, Sonia Orrincourt died.

‘The room,’ Alleyn said, ‘will be left exactly as it is. The police surgeon is on his way and will take charge. In the meantime, you’ll all please join the others in the drawing-room. Mrs Ancred, will you and Miss Able go ahead with Inspector Fox?’

‘At least, Alleyn,’ said Dr Withers, struggling into his jacket, ‘you’ll allow us to wash up.’

‘Certainly. I’ll come with you.’

Millamant and Caroline Able, after exchanging glances, raised a subdued outcry. ‘You must see…’ Dr Withers protested.

‘If you’ll come out, I’ll explain.’