‘There are people who fall for that scam?’ asked Beth.

‘In their hundreds, it would seem. He only had to take out a quarter-page advertisement in the Daily Telegraph with a photo of a starving donkey, and the donations came flooding in. We are a nation of knaves and animal lovers, it would seem.’

‘But if he saved the donkeys?’ said Beth.

‘There were no donkeys,’ said Sir Julian, ‘just hapless romantics only too willing to part with their money, which ended up in his back pocket. That’s the reason he’s able to afford the services of Mr Booth Watson, who will be making one of his rare appearances at the Old Bailey. Don’t be surprised if several donkeys, of the two-legged variety, appear in the witness box to give evidence.’

It was some time before the laughter died down.

‘When does the trial begin?’ asked William.

‘It should have been tomorrow at ten o’clock in the forenoon,’ said Sir Julian, ‘had Booth Watson not requested a postponement, which I reluctantly agreed to. It seems my unworthy opponent has a pressing engagement in Scotland, though he wouldn’t say with whom.’

‘He didn’t say where, by any chance?’ asked William.

‘No, as always BW gave as little away as possible.’

Beth and William looked at each other, but didn’t speak.

‘Dad, could I make a phone call?’

‘Yes, of course, my boy. Use the phone in my study.’

‘Thank you,’ said William, who stood up and quickly left the room.

‘Was it something I said?’ asked Sir Julian.

‘No. Something Booth Watson didn’t say,’ said Beth.

‘How intriguing.’

‘I can even tell you who he’s on the phone to.’

‘The commander, no doubt,’ said Sir Julian. ‘And I can guess what he’ll say when he returns.’

‘“Sorry Mother, but we have to leave immediately,”’ suggested Beth. ‘“Something unexpected has come up.”’

The door opened and William came charging back into the room.

‘I’m so sorry, Mother, but we have to go …’

‘Something’s come up that you have to deal with immediately?’ suggested Sir Julian.

‘How did you know that?’ asked William.

‘I didn’t. But I could hardly help noticing that no sooner had I uttered the words Booth Watson and Scotland, than you suddenly needed to make an urgent phone call.’

William didn’t rise to the bait. He kissed his mother on both cheeks and said, ‘I’m only sorry that we can’t stay for lunch.’

‘Booth Watson isn’t a man one should keep waiting,’ said Sir Julian. ‘When it’s in his client’s interests, he can move very quickly.’

‘I look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks,’ said William, ignoring his father’s remonstration.

‘Only if you bring the twins with you next time,’ said Marjorie.

‘You can leave Artemisia at home,’ said Sir Julian ruefully. ‘She clearly has designs on another man.’

‘I suspect she has designs on both of you,’ said Beth, as Marjorie and Sir Julian accompanied them to the front door.

Once they’d said their farewells, William didn’t speak again until they’d reached the road back to London. ‘Do you think Faulkner will risk going to see the Caravaggio?’ he asked.