“Another idea that I don’t think we’ll be able to prove,” he said. “It’s possible he brings in the drugs when he comes back from trade missions. It’s unlikely the bags of a minister on government business would ever be searched. He might have been supplying people like Bobo.”

“But you’d never get anyone to talk.”

“We’ll act as if we suspect nothing. Then next time he goes to New York, we’ll go through every bag with a fine-toothed comb.”

I nodded. Then took a deep breath. “But we’re no nearer to being able to find out who killed her. If he was supplying her with drugs, wouldn’t he want her alive? On the other hand, if she was blackmailing him and had recently threatened to take incriminating evidence to the newspapers . . .”

I paused. “She may have become too much of a liability,” Darcy finished for me.

“Surely there is more that the police could do,” I said angrily. “I’d be questioning every hobo in Kensington Gardens, any constable who patrols the gardens. Someone must have seen a motorcar driving up to the palace.”

“So what? If you’d seen a big motor drive past, wouldn’t you automatically think it was one of the palace occupants returning home? You wouldn’t look twice, would you? And it was unpleasant weather. No late evening strollers. Everyone tucked up at home.”

“I hate to think that someone is going to get away with this,” I said.

“The problem is the need for secrecy,” he said. “In the case of a normal murder we’d be asking the public to come forward with anything they’d seen. We’d be asking for tips from those involved in the world of drugs. But we can do none of this. Ah well.” He ran his hand through those dark curls. “My money is still on Sir Toby. Maybe he’ll slip up someday. Maybe someone will squeal. In the meantime go back and enjoy your sherry. I can let myself out.”

“Why don’t you come have dinner with us,” I said, reaching out to take his hand. “Surely you can’t be too busy on a Saturday evening?”

He looked around. “I have a few things that have to be done. But I’m not dressed.”

“It’s only Irmtraut and me,” I said. “I’m sure she’ll understand.”

He smiled then. “All right. Why not. I’ve no better offer.”

“I can tell how very keen you are to be with me,” I said.

He laughed and put an arm around my shoulder. “Come on, then. Introduce me to the formidable countess.”

I led him through to the sitting room. Irmtraut started, looking as if I’d brought a farm laborer in muddy boots into the place.

“Countess, this is my young man, the Honorable Darcy O’Mara, son of Lord Kilhenny,” I said.