“Of course it was,” Jack said. “And of course we all want to be ruled out. May I make an observation? If someone were leaving the room in question yesterday—let us say, with an urgent need to wash their hands—they would have taken the first floor back corridor to reach a bedroom on the first floor. If that person was billeted on the second floor, they would surely have taken the East Wing stairs all the way up, and followed the back corridor from there. No?”

He didn’t point out that he, Bill, and Preston were the only people sleeping on the second floor, while Jimmy’s room was on the first floor. He didn’t have to.

Jimmy’s mouth tightened ominously. Pat rushed in before this became personal. “That sounds plausible but as Bill says, it’s a theory. We need to know where everyone was still. So where did you spend the rest of the morning, Jack, after Mr. Haworth left you? Were you with anyone between then and lunch?”

Jack opened his mouth, but didn’t answer at once. He looked decidedly self-conscious. “Did you stay here alone?” Pat pressed.

“I’m afraid I’m not willing to comment at the moment.”

“I beg your pardon?” Bill said.

Jack grimaced. “As you’ve said, we all have our own concerns. I should like a chance to consider mine before I reply.”

“I don’t think so,” Pat said. “The police won’t give you a chance to consider, and they’ll be here soon. If you’ve something to say, you’d better say it.”

Fen looked at her with startled admiration. Bill, however, was wincing. “If it’s a delicate matter—”

“Oh, I think we’re beyond that,” Jimmy said roughly. “Murder isn’t delicate. I suppose you ‘aren’t willing to comment’ because you were with someone you oughtn’t have been with. It’s hardly a conundrum, is it? I don’t know why you don’t come out with it; it’s not as though you’ve had any other care for her reputation.”

Jack held up a hand to stop him, paused as if thinking for a moment, and then said deliberately, “I suppose indiscretion is the lesser of two evils. When Maurice left me, I went to Anna’s room, and I spent the period until luncheon with her.”

“Was anyone else with you?” Bill asked.

“No, dear fellow. That was the point.”

Jimmy pushed himself straight, fists clenching. Jack winced. “No, think, Jimmy. You may not like this conversation but you must be glad to know Anna has a witness to her whereabouts.”

“What?” Jimmy almost shouted. “Are you accusing my sister?”

“No, curse it! I’m giving her an alibi.”

“Do you think— Shut up, Jim. Do you think it’s necessary to do so?” Bill asked.