As the maid departed with a look of relief, Major B-C looked at me questioningly. “You’re lucky to find me at home. I only just returned a moment ago from my monthly regimental dinner. In fact the maid just caught me letting myself into my apartment. Now out with it. What is it that’s troubling you?”

“Please follow me,” I said and walked resolutely toward the front door. The major followed.

“Where on earth are we going?” he asked as I stepped out into darkness.

“I have to show you something.”

Now that there was no Daimler with headlights shining, it was pitch-black outside.

“Is this some sort of prank?” he asked.

“No prank, I assure you, Major. This way, please.”

I felt my way over the cobbles until I could just make out the archway beneath the clock tower. Strangely it had been light enough for me to spot the body instantly before but this time I almost stumbled upon it before I picked out a vague hint of whiteness.

“What on earth is that?” Major B-C demanded, his voice now taut.

“It’s a body,” I replied and my voice bounced back, alarmingly loud as it echoed from the cobbles and vaulted arch above. “A young woman. She’s dead. I’m afraid she might have been murdered.”

“Good God,” he said, bending forward to peer more closely at the body. “Is it one of the maids?”

“No, she’s dressed in a white silk evening gown. I’ve no idea who she is.”

“Are we sure that she’s dead? She might have been drinking too much at a party and lost her way in the dark and collapsed here.” He bent down even farther to examine her.

“Oh, I’m sure she’s dead. Look at her face.” I shuddered.

He was kneeling on the damp cobbles beside her, felt for a pulse, then got hurriedly to his feet. “I’ll go and find a torch,” he said. “You come back into the house. You shouldn’t be out here alone.”

I followed him as he walked briskly back into the building. I waited in the foyer, hugging my fur stole around me, as I was suddenly extremely cold. He seemed to take forever. At last he returned carrying a large silvery flashlight.

“It wasn’t easy explaining why I wanted this without raising curiosity,” he said. “It required some quick thinking.”

I followed him back to the archway. He shone the torch onto the dead girl.

“My God.” I heard his sharp intake of breath. He looked around. “We should move her out of sight as soon as possible.”

“You can’t do that,” I said. “This is a crime scene. We must stay with her until the police get here.”