‘To tell the truth, I had drunk a little more than was good for me. It’s all coming back to me. It was in The Club. Everything was a bit jolly, and so when Freddy sprang the request on me, I gave him a cheque, almost without thinking. The claret at The Club is very good, but it does produce a dangerous feeling of euphoria. I was quite convinced at that time that he must be one of my dearest friends.’

‘And Mr Pomfret specifically asked for ten thousand pounds?’

‘Oh, yes, just like that. Tristram Baker-Willis was there at the time. He did protest, you know. “I say, Freddy, that’s a bit steep.” Those were his very words.’

‘Ah. Where can I find Mr Baker-Willis?’

‘At this time, he’ll be at his diggings in Pall Mall, getting ready for the evening ahead.’ He gave the detective superintendent the number in Pall Mall.

‘I think that will be all for the moment,’ said Kerridge, rising to his feet.

Tristram Baker-Willis was just as Kerridge remembered him. He had met the young man the previous year during investigations at Telby Castle. Tristram had a very white face, thick lips and black hair greased to a high shine. His waistcoat was a riot of brightly embroidered silk flowers.

‘We have just been paying Lord Alfred Curtis a visit,’ began Kerridge. ‘Judd, what did he say?’

The detective opened his notebook, flicked the pages and then repeated what Lord Alfred had said about Tristram being present when Freddy had asked for that loan.

‘Yes, that’s right,’ said Tristram. ‘Anything else?’

‘Yes, of course. Do you mean that Mr Pomfret went straight up to Lord Alfred and said, “Lend me ten thousand pounds?”’

‘Yes, something like that. I said, “Hey, Freddy! What are you doing?” Lord Alfred had taken drink. He wrote out that cheque with such a shaky hand, I thought Freddy would never be able to cash it.’

‘Well, he did. Mr Pomfret was also paid ten thousand pounds by two other people.’

‘Good heavens! Good old Freddy. Wish I had his talent for getting money out of people. Do you mean two other people paid him ten thousand each?’

‘That is so. Do you know if it is possible that Mr Pomfret was indulging in blackmail?’

‘Hey, he was a friend of mine. Stout fellow. Wouldn’t harm a fly.’ Tristram leaned forward and said earnestly, ‘Look here, Inspector . . .’

‘ Superintendent.’

‘Superintendent. You usually deal with the lower classes and it has given you a warped view of life. Such as we do not go around blackmailing people.’

‘Had Mr Pomfret any enemies?’

‘No, everybody liked Freddy. I liked Freddy. Best friend I ever had.’ Tristram took a handkerchief out of his sleeve and blew his nose loudly.