“I mean that the murderer could have disguised himself as a window cleaner to gain access to the house.”

“Oh, I see. You know, you’re dashed clever, Georgie. What a pity you’re the one with the brains. I’m sure you’d have made a splendid go of Castle Rannoch.”

“I’m afraid I’ll need every ounce of brainpower that I possess to get us out of this mess.”

He nodded gloomy agreement.

The taxi pulled up outside the imposing entrance of Brooks’s. The doddering porter hobbled down the steps to take Binky’s bag.

“Welcome back, your lordship,” he said. “May I offer my commiserations in such a distressing time. We have been gravely concerned for your safety. The police have been here asking for you more than once.”

“Thank you, Tomlinson. Don’t worry. It will all soon be sorted out.” He gave me a valiant smile and followed the old man into the building. I was left standing on the pavement alone.

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Yet again Belinda Warburton-Stoke’s sofa
Yet again Saturday, April 30, 1932

I waited for Binky to reappear but he didn’t. Really, men are too hopeless. Wrapped up in themselves from the day they are born. I put it down to a public school education. It would serve him right if he was arrested, I thought, then immediately regretted it. Anyone who had gone straight from the rigors of Gairlachan school to Brooks club couldn’t be expected to know any better.

I stood on the pavement outside Brooks, watching a parade of taxies and Rolls-Royces go past as the fashionable set headed out to evening functions, and I wondered what to do next. Belinda was going out for the evening. Rannoch House was teeming with police and reporters. I was beginning to feel rather lost and abandoned, when there was the sound of a siren and a police car pulled up beside me. Out of it stepped Inspector Sugg. He tipped his hat to me.

“Evening, miss. I understand that your brother has just arrived back in town.”

“That’s correct, Inspector. He’s just gone into his club.”

“I’d like a word with him, if I may, before he settles down for the evening,” he said and strode up to the front door.

Good luck, I thought, and expected him to be repelled from that bastion as I had been. But in no time at all Binky appeared, with Inspector Sugg following on his heels.

“We’re just on our way to Scotland Yard for a little chat,” the inspector said. “This way, if you please, sir.”

“It’s ‘Your Grace,’ ” Binky said.

“What?”

“One addresses a duke as ‘Your Grace.’ ”

“Does one?” Inspector Sugg was clearly not impressed. “I haven’t had the pleasure of arresting too many dukes in my career. Into the backseat, if you don’t mind.”

Binky shot me a frightened glance. “Aren’t you coming along too?”