Thomas’s voice rang out with authority, and the dolorous buzz of reproach and impatience was instantly hushed.

‘I dare say you’re all upset,’ he said. ‘So are other people. Caroline is, and I am. Who wouldn’t be? But you can’t go on flinging temperaments right and left. It’s very trying for other people and it gets us nowhere. So I’m afraid I’m going to ask you all to shut up, because I’ve got something to say to Alleyn, and if I’m right, and he says I’m right, you can all have hysterics and get on with the big scene. But I’ve got to know.’

He paused, still facing Alleyn squarely, and in his voice and his manner Alleyn heard an echo of Panty. ‘A person likes to know,’ Panty had said.

‘Caroline’s just told me,’ Thomas said, ‘that you think somebody gave Sonia the medicine Dr Withers prescribed for those kids. She says Sonia had tea with her. Well, it seems to me that means somebody’s got to look after Caroline, and I’m the person to do it, because I’m going to marry her. I dare say that’s a surprise to all of you, but I am, so that’s that, and nobody need bother to say anything, please.’

With his back still turned to his dumbfounded family, Thomas, looking at once astonished and determined, grasped himself by the lapels of his coat and continued. ‘You’ve told me you think Papa was poisoned with this stuff and I suppose you think the same person killed Sonia. Well, there’s one person who ordered the stuff for the kids and wouldn’t let Caroline touch it, and who ordered the medicine for Papa, and who is pretty well known to be in debt, and who was left quite a lot of money by Papa, and who had tea with Sonia. He’s not in the room, now,’ said Thomas, ‘and I want to know where he is, and whether he’s a murderer. That’s all.’

Before Alleyn could answer, there was a tap on the door and Thompson came in. ‘A call from London, for you, sir,’ he said. ‘Will you take it out here?’

Alleyn went out, leaving Thompson on guard, and the Ancreds still gaping. He found the small telephone-room across the hall, and, expecting a voice from the Yard, was astonished to hear Troy’s.

‘I wouldn’t have done this if it mightn’t be important,’ said Troy’s voice, twenty miles away. ‘I telephoned the Yard and they told me you were at Ancreton.’

‘Nothing wrong?’

‘Not here. It’s just that I’ve remembered what Sir Henry said that morning. When he’d found the writing on his looking-glass.’

‘Bless you. What was it?’