I needed to know what time she went to bed. And it occurred to me that she could be in great danger because of that innocent remark. I tiptoed up the marble staircase and turned toward Princess Alice’s apartment. I peered at my watch in the dim light. Nine thirty-five. Not horribly late to call upon someone. I tapped at her door. After a long while it was opened by a maid who had clearly put on her cap hurriedly to answer the door.

“Lady Georgiana,” she said in a breathless voice. “I’m sorry, but Her Highness has retired for the night.”

“Does she always go to bed this early?” I asked.

“Always. Early to bed and early to rise, she likes to say. She gets up at six and goes for a walk in the park.”

“Thank you. I am sorry to have disturbed you,” I said.

“Is there a message?”

“Not now. I’ll deliver it myself tomorrow morning.”

I came away again, not sure now what to do. I had promised to deliver a message to the major for Princess Marina. Could I deliver it now and not give away that I suspected him? Should I go and find a telephone booth and ring Sir Jeremy’s number? My heart was hammering. I was surely safe for now. It was Princess Alice I worried about, going for that early walk on a misty November morning. I shook my head in disbelief. Surely he wouldn’t consider killing a member of the royal family, would he?

He would if he could make it look like an accident, I thought. I’d make sure I was up and on that walk with her. The marble banister felt solid and comforting as I made my way down the stairs. I went as silently as possible. I didn’t want the major to know I had been up to the princess’s suite. As the stair curved around I peered down to the foyer and my heart gave a jolt as I saw a figure standing in the gloom at the bottom of the stairs. It was the major and he was watching me.

I put on my brightest smile. “Hello, Major. I was just coming to see you,” I said. “I promised Princess Marina I’d deliver a message for her. She needs a motorcar early tomorrow morning. Can that be arranged?”

He came up the steps slowly, one by one. “What were you doing upstairs, Lady Georgiana? Not taking a tour of the royal galleries at this time of night, surely?”

I laughed my best gay and carefree laugh. “No, I also promised Princess Marina that I’d deliver a message to Princess Alice for her.”

“But she has already retired for the night. I overheard.”

“Yes. No matter. I’ll come back in the morning.”