‘How wonderful!’ he cried. ‘I was just dreaming about a glass of wine and one has miraculously appeared.’ After a first sip, he looked up at Paul. ‘Thank you, kind sir. Have you come to talk about Orsino Price again?’

‘No, it’s another name that interests me now.’

‘What is it?’

‘Harry Scattergood.’

Howlett sniffed. ‘I’ve never heard of him. Is he an actor?’

‘He’s a thief but that often obliges him to take on a false name in order to lead his victims astray. In that sense, he is a kind of actor.’

‘Why do you seek him?’

‘He might have been involved in a recent murder.’

‘You’re not talking about Sir Roger Mellanby, by any chance?’

‘Indeed, I am.’

‘Then you should have been here when Mr Ruddock called in.’

‘Would that be Chevy Ruddock,’ asked Paul, interest immediately kindled. ‘He’s a tall, gangly man with a face like a large potato.’

‘That’s him.’

‘He works with the Runners.’

‘Actually,’ confided Howlett, ‘he’s working against them at the moment. He and I went to a great deal of trouble to obtain some information and it was rejected.’

‘What sort of information?’

‘It concerns Mr Giles Clearwater.’

‘Tell me more,’ urged Paul, sitting beside him. ‘I’ve heard mention of the man. Who exactly is he?’

‘He’s a character in The Provok’d Husband, a dreadful play that tried to ape Sir John Vanbrugh’s sublime comedy, The Provok’d Wife. The latter is solid gold while the former is base metal.’

‘Let me get this correct. Ruddock asked you about someone called Giles Clearwater and you remembered that he belonged in a play. What happened when you told that to Chevy Ruddock?’

‘He was overjoyed at first.’

‘And then?’

‘The Runners slapped him down. It’s unfair on him. They still believe that Clearwater is a real person. In fact, he wants to claim the reward for telling them where Sir Roger’s killer is. It doesn’t make sense to me.’

‘It does to me,’ said Paul as he realised what had happened. ‘Chevy Ruddock used his intelligence and they’re treating him as if he’s a fool. I need to speak to him.’ He shook Howlett’s hand. ‘Enjoy your drink. You deserve it.’