The building on Mount Street was brand new—an impressive art deco affair of white marble and glass. A uniformed doorman stood in the foyer and sprang out to open the glass door to admit me.

“Miserable old day, isn’t it, madam,” he said. “How can I help you?”

I realized as I went to open my mouth that I hadn’t thought through a credible plan of campaign as I walked and also that DCI Pelham would probably not approve, so I blurted out, “Actually I’ve come to visit Miss Carrington. I take it she is home.”

His expression became troubled and I wondered how much he knew. Presumably he must suspect something was wrong if he’d had to admit the police.

“I’m sorry, madam, but I’m afraid she is not at home at the moment.”

I wasn’t going to let him know that I knew. I put on my bright and innocent face. “Oh, how annoying. Who would want to step out on a day like this, and when she knew I was coming too.” I gave him what I hoped was a winning smile. “Do you have a key? Could you let me into her apartment to wait for her?”

“Let you in? Wait for her?”

“Yes. She knows I’m coming. We’re old friends. I wrote to tell her I was coming up for Gussie Gormsley’s party tonight and she said she was going too and why didn’t I come over to her place and we’d go together?”

He was looking most uncomfortable now. “I’m afraid there has been some mistake. Miss Carrington is not at home. I really can’t tell you when she’ll be returning, but certainly not today.”

“Not today? Oh, that’s too bad of her,” I said. “Now where am I going to get ready for the party? And where am I going to stay tonight? That’s not at all like Bobo. She’s usually such a sweet girl, isn’t she?”

“I wouldn’t know, miss,” he said. “I’m just the doorman.” His expression, however, betrayed that he hadn’t found Miss Carrington to have displayed much sweetness.

“I say,” I said. “Is something wrong? She hasn’t had an accident or something, has she? She’s not in hospital?”

“I really don’t know, miss,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

I was desperately trying to think of some way to get into that flat. “Look,” I said, “would it be possible for you to take me up to her flat, if you don’t want to give me the key? You see, I lent Bobo some earrings last time I saw her and I was going to collect them today. I wanted to wear them tonight. I told her and I thought she’d have them out and ready for me. So perhaps they are lying on her dressing table waiting for me.”