‘Who is it?’ a hoarse voice croaked.

‘It’s Chuck Lazer, Bluey,’ the American replied. ‘I’ve been looking for Fred. Thought he might be here.’

Squires was sixty and looked older. Tousled grey hair fell across a broad forehead and he was badly in need of a shave. He carried a shotgun under his left arm and his right hand was clamped firmly around the collar of a magnificent black and silver Alsatian who strained eagerly towards Lazer, the growl rising from deep inside his throat like a volcano about to erupt.

‘He’s pretty busy,’ Squires said. ‘Is it important?’

‘You’re telling me it is,’ Lazer moved forward. ‘Are Donner and Jango here?’

The old man glared at him suspiciously. ‘You want to know a hell of a lot, don’t you?’

‘What’s all the mystery? I’ve been here before, haven’t I?’

‘All right, all right,’ the old man said. ‘I suppose you’d better come in.’

They entered what had obviously been the main kitchen of the house in its great days, a large, stone-flagged room with a black kitchen range and stove running along one side. It was dirty and untidy, the table in the centre cluttered with unwashed dishes, a couple of empty milk bottles, half a loaf of bread and several opened cans of food. The narrow bed in the corner was unmade.

Squires gave the Alsatian an order and it crouched in front of the fire, staring unwinkingly at the American. ‘You wait here. I’ll get Manton.’

He leaned the shotgun against the wall and went out. Lazer sat on the edge of the table. After a while, the door opened again and Manton entered, Donner behind him.

Manton had an overcoat hanging from his shoulders against the cold and he was frowning. ‘I thought you were supposed to be playing at Faulkner’s party?’

‘I left,’ Lazer said simply. ‘Some lousy copper turned up asking about Ben Garvald. C.I.D. sergeant called Miller.’

‘Ben Garvald?’ Manton said. ‘But he’s still inside.’

‘Not any more he isn’t. They released him yesterday. According to this guy Miller, he’s right here in town.’

‘What do they want him for?’

‘A routine enquiry, that’s what the man said, but I figured you should know, Fred. You and Ben having been so close in the old days. Maybe this copper will be calling on you next.’

‘You did right, Chuck. Thanks a lot.’ Manton hesitated. ‘This bloke Miller – did he mention my name?’

Lazer shook his head. ‘He went off in one hell of a rush. Seems some detective or other was on the receiving end in a hit and run earlier tonight. He’s in the Infirmary now hanging on by a thread.’

There was a stifled exclamation from Donner in the doorway and the skin seemed to stretch a little more tightly across Manton’s face. He managed a ghastly smile.