‘You know,’ said Harry, ‘I bet all three say that Freddy was on his uppers and asked for that specific amount to clear his debts. If you like, I can start asking a few questions.’

‘And I,’ said Rose eagerly.

They were interrupted by the arrival of the tea-tray. Harry watched as Rose and Daisy enthusiastically munched their way through cakes and biscuits. ‘You are hungry,’ he said.

‘We ate very well last night,’ said Rose, ‘but today we have had neither breakfast nor lunch because of the difficulty in getting to work through the snow and then in getting here. As I was saying, I can help further with the investigation.’

Harry suddenly saw a way of restoring Rose to her parents. ‘You cannot do anything while you work at the bank – anything further, I mean. But were you to go back to your rightful position, you would be able to move freely in society again.’

‘Good idea,’ put in Daisy fervently, thinking of a blissful end to days of typewriting and evenings of cheap food.

‘Yes, I suppose that would be a good idea,’ said Rose, struck by a sudden vision of long hot baths and clean clothes.

‘You have no objection, Mr Kerridge?’

‘No, I shall be glad of any help. But do remember, Lady Rose, someone murdered Freddy Pomfret and will be prepared, no doubt, to murder again.’

‘Then, Daisy, we will return to Eaton Square and tell the servants to collect our belongings, and Captain Cathcart can inform the bank that we will not be returning there.’

‘I will certainly inform the bank on your behalf,’ said Harry, ‘but to send an earl’s liveried servants to the hostel in Bloomsbury would occasion unwelcome comment. In the role as your brother, I will go back with you and find some form of transport to take you and your goods home.’

‘What about your car?’

‘Possible. They were spreading salt on the roads when I walked here. If I may use your telephone, I will ask Becket.’

Becket said that he thought he would be able to drive to Scotland Yard.

Harry could not help noticing that a sparkle had returned to Rose’s blue eyes and correctly guessed that she was thrilled to have a suitable excuse to leave her working life and sordid hostel.

At the hostel, Miss Harringey began to complain that there would be no refund on the advance rent. Rose was about to declare haughtily that she could keep the money, but Harry sent her upstairs with Daisy to pack and then began to haggle. He did not want Miss Harringey to wonder too much about working women who could so easily forgo a refund.

At last he had to admit that he was defeated. Miss Harringey pointed out that she had no immediate hope of finding a new tenant for the room and therefore would be losing money.