As their clothes steamed and the room warmed up, both began to feel more cheerful. ‘I know what it was,’ said Rose suddenly.

‘What?’

‘About Freddy Pomfret. When I was working as secretary, one of the clerks came in and said, “Mr Pomfret has very generous friends.” Mr Beveridge asked him what he meant and he said, “Three people have paid large deposits into his account so we don’t need to send him any more letters about his overdraft.”’

‘Probably his relatives. But why didn’t they pay up before? What you getting at?’

Rose was about to correct Daisy’s grammar and remind her not to be so familiar but in time remembered that they were supposed to be on an equal footing.

‘There must be some reason he was murdered. What if he was blackmailing people?’

Daisy looked doubtful. She thought it highly unlikely. The Freddy she remembered was silly but not villainous. Still, if Rose’s detective urges had started up again, perhaps she would get in touch with Captain Cathcart. Daisy had a fondness for the captain’s servant, Becket.

‘We could ask Captain Cathcart.’

‘Perhaps. I would like to see the books and then perhaps go to Scotland Yard and talk to Superintendent Kerridge.’

Daisy’s face fell. ‘Could we see the captain first?’

But Rose wanted to show the infuriating Harry that she could be a better detective than he was.

‘I’ll see what I can do tomorrow.’

‘If we can even get to work,’ Daisy pointed out.

The next morning was cold and still but the snow had stopped. As Rose and Daisy slipped and stumbled their way along to the underground station at Holborn, Rose wished she had packed her riding breeches. These long skirts and petticoats were useless attire for getting to work through a snowfall.

The City was quiet, shrouded in a blanket of snow. They had to knock at the bank door to gain admittance. At last one of the clerks opened the door to them.

‘Nobody’s turned up except me,’ he said. ‘I keep the door locked because anyone could walk in and rob the bank. Charles, the doorman, hasn’t turned up and he’s really got no excuse. He lives in the City. May I get you ladies anything? Tea?’

‘Maybe later,’ said Rose. ‘We’ll let you know. Thank you.’

Once they were in their office, Rose whispered, ‘This is a perfect opportunity. I’ll go upstairs to the counting-house and start searching.’

‘What about the banking hall?’

‘The records won’t be there. In any case, everything in the banking hall will be tightly locked.’

Daisy lit the fire and then waited impatiently. Outside, she could hear the scraping of shovels and then the swish of brooms as the street-sweepers got to work. A shaft of sunlight suddenly shone down through the grimy window.