“I agree, it seems completely impossible, Inspector,” I said, “but it’s the truth. I can only conclude that there is some kind of sick-minded madman running around London.”

“You simply can’t stay in this house alone any longer, Georgie,” Belinda interrupted. “Pack some things and you can sleep on my sofa.”

The inspector now turned his attention to her, which was, perhaps, what she wanted.

“Miss Warburton-Stoke, did you say?”

“That’s right.” She flashed him a dazzling smile.

“And your address is . . . ?”

“I live in a dinky little mews cottage. Three Seville Mews. Just a stone’s throw away in Knightsbridge, actually.”

“And you were with your chum when she discovered the body?”

“I was with Lady Georgiana, yes,” she said. “At least, she went upstairs to change while I waited downstairs. I came when I heard her scream.”

“Have you seen the body, miss?”

“I certainly have. Horrid-looking man, I’d say. He didn’t even look as if he’d shaved today.”

“And you’d never seen him before?”

“Absolutely not. Never seen him in my life. And believe me, Inspector, I’d remember a nasty face like that.”

The inspector got to his feet. “Very well, then. I suppose that’s all for now. But I shall need to speak to your brother, the duke, you know. How can I reach him in Scotland?”

I didn’t want the police talking to Binky before I had a chance for my own little chat with him. “As I said, I’m not quite sure where he is at present. You could always try his club, in case he hasn’t left London.”

“I thought you just said he was in Scotland.”

“I said I wasn’t sure of his whereabouts and assumed he’d gone home. If you like, I’ll try friends and family in Scotland for you, although the telephone is not in the widest use up there. It is rather remote.”

“Don’t worry, miss. We’ll find him, all right.”

Belinda took my arm. “Inspector, we really should let Lady Georgiana have a cup of tea. She’s obviously in shock. I mean, who wouldn’t be if they found a dead man in their house?”

He nodded. “I suppose you’ve both had a bit of a shock. Off you go and have a cup of tea and a lie-down then. I know where to find you if I need you. And in the meantime if that brother of yours turns up, tell him we need to speak to him right away. Is that clear?”

“Oh, absolutely, Inspector,” I said.

“Off you go, then. I’ll have men working at the house for some time, I expect.” He tried to chivvy us to the front door.

“It will be well supervised, I hope,” I said. “There are many valuable objects in this house. I wouldn’t want to risk their getting stolen or damaged.”