‘I think,’ said Martyn, ‘that the other two went out to the stage before we did. I remember hearing them go up the passage together. That was before the call for the final curtain. We went out after the call, didn’t we, Jacko?’

‘Certainly, my infant. And by that time you were a little more awake, isn’t it? The pink clouds had receded a certain distance?’

Martyn nodded, feeling foolish. Poole came behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders. ‘So there would appear at least to be an alibi for the Infant Phenomenon,’ he said. It was the most natural and inevitable thing in the world for her to lean back. His hands moved to her arms and he held her to him for an uncharted second while a spring of well-being broke over her astounded heart.

Alleyn looked from her face to Poole’s and she guessed that he wondered about their likeness to each other. Poole, answering her thoughts and Alleyn’s unspoken question, said: ‘We are remotely related, but I am not allowed to mention it. She’s ashamed of the connection.’

‘That’s unlucky,’ Alleyn said with a smile, ‘since it declares itself so unequivocally.’

Gay Gainsford said loudly to Darcey: ‘Do you suppose, darling, they’d let me get my cigarettes?’

Helena said: ‘Here you are, Gay.’ Darcey had already opened his case and held it out to her in his right hand. His left hand was in his trouser pocket. His posture was elegant and modish, out of keeping with his look of anxiety and watchfulness.

‘Where are your cigarettes?’ Alleyn asked and Gay said quickly: ‘It doesn’t matter, thank you. I’ve got one. I won’t bother. I’m sorry I interrupted.’

‘But where are they?’

‘I don’t really know what I’ve done with them.’

‘Where were you during the performance?’

She said impatiently: ‘It really doesn’t matter. I’ll look for them later or something.’

‘Gay,’ said Jacko, ‘was in the greenroom throughout the show.’

‘Lamprey will see if he can find them.’

The young constable said: ‘Yes, of course, sir,’ and went out.

‘In the greenroom?’ Alleyn said. ‘Were you there all the time, Miss Gainsford?’

Standing in front of her with his back to Alleyn, Darcey held a light to her cigarette. She inhaled and coughed violently. He said: ‘Gay didn’t feel fit enough to move. She curled up in a chair in the greenroom. I was to take her home after the show.’

‘When did you leave the greenroom, Miss Gainsford?’

But it seemed that Gay had half-asphyxiated herself with her cigarette. She handed it wildly to Darcey, buried her face in her handkerchief and was madly convulsed. PC Lamprey returned with a packet of cigarettes, was waved away with vehemence, gave them to Darcey and on his own initiative fetched a cup of water.

‘If the face is congested,’ Dr Rutherford advised from the sofa, ‘hold her up by the heels.’ His eyes remained closed.