‘You will, I’m sure,’ he was saying, ‘realize that in these cases, our job is simply to determine that they are, on the face of it, what they appear to be. In order to do this effectively we are obliged to make a fairly thorough examination of the scene as we find it. This takes a little time always but if everything’s quite straightforward, as I expect it will be, we won’t keep you very long. Is that clear?’

He looked round his small audience. Poole said at once: ‘Yes, of course. We all understand. At the same time, if it’s a matter of taking statements, I’d be grateful if you’d see Miss Hamilton first.’

‘Miss Hamilton?’ Alleyn said and after a moment’s hesitation, looked at her.

‘I’m his wife,’ she said. ‘I’m Helena Bennington.’

‘I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. Yes, I’m sure that can be managed. Probably the best will be for me to see you all together. If everything seems quite clear there may be no excuse for further interviews. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll have a look round and then rejoin you. There is a doctor among you, isn’t there? Dr Rutherford?’ Dr Rutherford cleared his throat portentously. ‘Are you he, sir? Perhaps you’ll join us.’

‘Indubitably,’ said the doctor. ‘I had so concluded.’

‘Good,’ Alleyn said and looked faintly amused. ‘Will you lead the way?’

They were at the door when Jacko suddenly said: ‘A moment, if you please, Chief Inspector.’

‘Yes?’

‘I would like permission to make soup. There is a filthy small kitchen-place inhabited only by the night-watchman where I have a can of prepared soup. Everyone is very cold and fatigued and entirely empty. My name is Jacques Doré. I am dogsbody-in-waiting in this theatre and there is much virtue in my soup.’

Alleyn said: ‘By all means. Is the kitchen-place that small sink-room near the dock with the gas-jet in it?’

‘But you haven’t looked at the place yet!’ Parry Percival ejaculated.

‘I’ve been here before,’ said Alleyn. ‘I remember the theatre. Shall we get on, Dr Rutherford?’

They went out. Gay Gainsford, whose particular talent, from now onwards, was to lie in the voicing of disquieting thoughts which her companions shared but decided to leave unspoken, said in a distracted manner: ‘When was he here before?’ And when nobody answered she said dramatically: ‘I can see it all! He must be the man they sent that other time.’ She paused and collected their reluctant attention. She laid her hand on J.G.’s arm and raised her voice: ‘That’s why he’s come again,’ she announced.

‘Come now, dear,’ J.G. murmured inadequately and Poole said quickly: ‘My dear Gay!’