‘I dispute that,’ said Golightly. ‘His friends are unswervingly loyal.’

‘One of them could have been overheard making an unguarded remark about Sir Roger’s fondness for the theatre and his interest in a particular actress. I can’t imagine that Nottingham could provide him with someone remotely like Miss Granville or, if it did, that he’d be allowed anywhere near her. It was only when he was in London,’ suggested Paul, ‘that he was – let me put this politely – unfettered by family obligations.’

‘Sir Roger was happily married.’

‘Most of those who cluster around that stage door are the same. I see them every night, remember. When they are with their wives, they are all happily married. After watching a play unaccompanied by their spouses, however, they tend to become lusty bachelors.’

‘I wouldn’t know. Theatre is not to my taste.’

‘When did you last see Sir Roger?’

‘It was some weeks ago.’

‘Since you are such a good friend, I’d have thought he’d be in touch with you the moment he arrived here. He might even have invited you to join him in a meal at the Clarendon Hotel. Instead of that—’

‘There’s no need to labour the point,’ said the other, tetchily.

‘All I’m saying is that your friend had priorities.’

‘And so do I, Skillen. An appalling crime has taken place. My priority is simple. I want it solved quickly.’

‘That’s why I’m here, Captain. With your permission, I need to ask some questions that may indirectly lead to an arrest. Do you have any objection?’ After a few moments, Golightly shook his head. ‘Thank you. Let’s begin, shall we?’

At the end of the working day, Charlotte was tidying everything up at the shooting gallery. Gully Ackford came into the room, rubbing one arm.

‘I’m getting too old for this,’ he complained. ‘A couple of hours with a sword in my hand tires me out completely.’

‘You should let Jem give all the fencing lessons.’

‘He’s got enough to do as it is, Charlotte. Since I’m losing Peter and Paul for a while, I’ll have to take on more of the work myself. If there’s too much to cope with, I’ll have to bring in help.’

‘We’ll just have to hope that this case doesn’t take up too much time,’ she said. ‘I’d prefer my husband to be here, not charging off to Nottingham. However, Peter has to go where he might find evidence.’

‘Yes, he does.’

‘Paul is still in London, grappling with two very difficult jobs. One of them is to track down the assassin and the other, as we know, is equally demanding. He has to protect Hannah from the attentions of the Prince Regent. Knowing her, I think she’ll feel frightened at the idea that he might come back to make impossible demands. She needs Paul as a shield.