The impressive things about Sergeant Raikes were his size and his mildness. He was big, even for a policeman, and he was mild beyond belief. When Mr Period made him known to Nicola, he said: ‘Good afternoon, miss,’ in a loud but paddy voice and added that he hoped she would excuse them for a few minutes. Nicola took this as a polite dismissal and was about to conform, when Mr Period said that he wouldn’t dream of it. She must go on typing and not let them bore her. Please. He insisted.

Poor Nicola, fully aware of Sergeant Raikes’s wishes to the contrary, sat down again and banged away at her machine. She couldn’t help hearing Mr Period’s airy and inaccurate assurance that she was entirely in his confidence.

‘Well,’ Sergeant Raikes said, ‘sir. In that case –’

‘Sit down, Raikes.’

‘Thank you, sir. I’ve dropped in to ask if you can help me in a small matter that has cropped up.’

‘Ah, yes? More social activities, Raikes?’

‘Not exactly, this time, sir. More of a routine item, really. I wonder if you’d mind telling me if a certain name is known to you –’ He lowered his voice.

‘Leiss!’ Mr Period shrilly ejaculated. ‘Did you say Leonard Leiss?’

‘That was the name. Yes.’

‘I encountered him for the first time this morning.’

‘Ah,’ said Sergeant Raikes warmly. ‘That makes everything much easier, sir. Thank you. For the first time. So you are not at all familiar with Mr Leiss?’

‘Familiar!’

‘Quite so, sir. And Mr Cartell?’

‘Nor is Mr Cartell. Until this morning Mr Leiss was a complete stranger to both of us. He may be said to be one still.’

‘Perhaps I could see Mr Cartell?’

‘Look here, Raikes, what the deuce are you talking about? Nicola, my dear, pray stop typing, will you be so good? But don’t go.’

Nicola stopped.

‘Well, sir,’ Sergeant Raikes said. ‘The facts are as follows. George Copper happened to mention to me about half an hour ago, that he’s selling a Scorpion sports model to a young gentleman called Leonard Leiss and he stated, further, that the customer had given your name and Mr Cartell’s and Miss Cartell’s as references.’

‘Good God!’

‘Now, sir, in the service there’s a regular system by which all stations are kept informed about the activities of persons known to be operating in a manner contrary to the law or if not contrary, within the meaning of the Act, yet in a suspicious and questionable manner. You might describe them,’ Sergeant Raikes said with a flash of imagery, ‘as ripening fruit. Just about ready for the picking.’

‘Raikes, what in heaven’s name – Well. Go on.’