“Do you recall hearing the name Eleanor Gray?”

“He was in mourning. His fiancée died unexpectedly in late 1915. There was never any other young lady. The Captain never said anything to me about another young lady!”

“Fellow officers, then,” Rutledge amended hastily.

“Oh, yes, he sometimes offered them the house. There was a blind officer who stayed for a month. And a flier with severe burns on the face and hands. Better off dead, if you ask me. And one or two others on leave, with no place of their own.”

“Was there an officer here—just about the time word came that Captain Burns was a casualty? I believe he might have brought a woman with him.”

“There was an officer about that time. From London. I can’t tell you his name. But he came alone, arriving quite late. That’s why I remember him.”

“Because he came later than expected?”

“No, no. He woke me out of a sound sleep, all but knocking the door down. It was raining, and he was wet through. I handed him the key, then slammed the door shut against the wind. But I watched from the window to see he got in all right. The lock is sometimes stiff in bad weather. I’d have known if he’d had a woman with him, wouldn’t I? I’d have seen her go in with him!”

“How long did he stay at the Burns house?”

“He was to stay a week, and left after two days.”

“Did he tell you why he was leaving?”

“I didn’t ask. He brought back the key and thanked me. But it had rained every day. I suppose he found that depressing.”

“How was he wounded? Shoulder? Leg?”

“Sometimes it isn’t possible to tell, and I never care to ask. He was very brown. I did ask about that. He’d served in Palestine, he said.”

“Was he Scots?”

“Yes. He told me he was English, but he was Scots.”

“Would you recognize him if you were to see him again?”

She shook her head. “I expect I wouldn’t. He didn’t have a remarkable face.” She studied Rutledge, pushing her spectacles up on her nose. “You do. I’d remember meeting you.”

Rutledge said, “If you still have the key, would you allow me to go in and look through the house?”

She stared at him suspiciously. “Why should you wish to do that?”

“I’m sorry. I’m not at liberty to say.”

“Oh, very well. Come along. But I warn you, I can’t stand on my feet while you take your time about it!”