“Oh, I don’t know, old thing. I think a spot of sentiment has its place, now and again. Do I understand you two are off to Miss Carruth’s house?”

“As soon as we’re allowed to leave, yes. The Sergeant asked us to stay tomorrow in case the Detective Inspector they’ve called in has any questions. The day after, perhaps.”

“That’s all right,” Bill said. “I don’t suppose we can take guns out tomorrow, as a matter of respect, but we can certainly go for a decent walk. I’d like a chance to get better acquainted with Miss Carruth in less dramatic conditions.”

“Fen, please,” said that young lady, dimpling. “That would be lovely.”

“And I’m Bill. Excellent. All right, Jim, shall we leave the ladies to their fresh air?”

The two strolled off together. Pat thought she could detect a looseness to Jimmy’s shoulders that hadn’t been there in the early part of their visit. “It is a jolly good thing,” she said aloud.

“Being rid of Haworth?” Fen asked. “Yes, it is. I’m sorry to say it, but he can’t complain if people don’t miss him. Well, obviously he can’t in the circumstances, but you know what I mean. It’s all rather lowering from a human nature point of view, isn’t it? Haworth himself, of course, but also Jack trying to blame Victoria and incriminate Jimmy and involve Lady Anna. The Earl and Jimmy getting into worse and worse tangles instead of facing up to things. Lady Anna, because really.”

“Preston and Victoria are a very nice pair.”

“Yes, they are,” Fen said. “And they were right to step away as much as possible from all the unpleasantness, because it was not in their power to mend it. And then there was you, Pat Merton, teaching a silly, unhappy girl how to shoot and standing up for me in the face of that vile man, and setting out to solve a murder because you were worried about your brother—”

“It was your idea.”

“Yes, and you made sure to tell Jimmy so,” Fen said. “Don’t think I didn’t notice that. And as for bringing a gun, like Annie Oakley coming to my rescue—goodness. Would you have shot him?”

“Of course. I shouldn’t have killed him unless it had been necessary, but I’d have happily shot him.”

Fen wriggled. “You have no idea how extraordinary that is. Not that I want you to shoot anybody for me, but it’s something to know you would. I shall definitely learn to use a gun. For all we know, I might have to return the favour one day.”

“How many country-house murders do you think we’re likely to encounter?”

“It’s as well to be prepared,” Fen said. “When is your birthday?”

“October. Why?”