‘Mules might come in a different category, though, from domestic pets. They can be the most obstinate brutes. I think maybe I will talk to Ed upon the subject. Not that he’s an easy chap to get anything out of. I might be able to find out, too, what ideas he has about that shot. If it really was intended for him it’s time the police made an arrest. I suppose you suspect Tiny Fullalove?’

‘He is the one person I do not suspect. I took the trouble to ring up the police, and my friend Inspector Gavin was able to supply me with the name of the hospital to which he was taken following his fall from my Kensington balcony. He is still there and unable to walk. It was very clever of him to fall so clumsily.’

‘Yes, I see. That gives us something to think about. You know, if young Emming had been murdered instead of his mother, we might have known by this time where we were.’

‘You mean she kept him? Supplied him with money? Yes, there isn’t much doubt about that.’

‘I imagine not. And she may have become very tired of it. But there seems no earthly reason why he should have murdered her. Besides, he’s got nothing against Ed Brown, so far as we know.’

‘If Ed Brown is in possession of some important information,’ said Mrs Bradley, ‘Mr Emming might well have something against him! And then, as I say, there’s Will North, who noticed the piled-up snow on that badger-watchers’ platform. As for Tiny, I’m afraid we can’t prove that he came to my house with the intention of handing me my quietus. He may have come merely to have a quiet chat, or had mistaken the house, as he said.’

Jonathan looked unconvinced.

‘Well, I don’t know,’ he said. ‘Anyway, let’s tackle Ed and see what he’s got to tell us.’

Will North was not at home when Mrs Bradley arrived, so, to keep up the fiction that the house was supposed to be empty, Mrs Bradley left it and Ed was commanded by Jonathan to nip across to the cottage belonging to the Wootton brothers. These were both at home and had been let into the secret because they lived far too near Will to be kept in ignorance of the fact that he had a permanent guest.

‘Now, then, Ed,’ said Mrs Bradley, when she had joined him, ‘I’m going to ask you some questions. You need not answer them, but if you choose to answer you must be exact.’

‘Questions?’ said Ed. ‘I’ve had questions enough from Mr Tiny! “I beant a liar,” I says, “without good cause.” I never told him nawthen. But, oh, mam, I know ee mean it for the best, but I be fair sick of being cooped up here like a broody old hen.’