Paul gave him ample time. It was almost two hours before he went back to the Golden Crown to speak to Simeon Howlett. Meanwhile, he hoped, the old actor would have found out the name of the man who’d been killed in the alleyway nearby. There was, however, a problem. As he entered the tavern, he saw that Howlett was no longer there. The landlord had no idea if and when the old man would return. Paul began to feel that he might have been cheated. Having tricked a second drink out of him, Howlett had simply walked out and gone to ground somewhere. Instinctively, Paul went off in search of him, storming out into the bustle of Covent Garden. He got no further than the corner before he was hailed by a booming voice that rose above the tumult. Paul turned to see Howlett hobbling towards him.

‘I’m sorry for the delay,’ said the actor. ‘It took longer than I estimated.’

‘I thought you’d let me down.’

‘Shame on you! I’d never let a friend down.’

‘Did you discover who the murder victim was?’

‘Yes, I did, and it was a name unknown to me.’

‘What was it?’

‘Orsino Price.’

‘I’ve never heard of him,’ said Paul, shaking his head. ‘Since I spend so much time around the theatres here, I’m familiar with most of the actors. Orsino Price is new to me. How old would he be?’

‘He was still in his twenties, I was told.’

‘Did you get a description of him?’

Howlett chortled. ‘What a silly question!’ he exclaimed. ‘The fellow was an actor. That immediately tells you that he dressed for effect and behaved at all times as if he’s in front of an audience. Add the fact that Price was young and you can safely assume that he was handsome into the bargain. Such a person would dedicate his life to searching for work in the theatre and pursuing the choicer members of the fair sex.’

‘What motive would someone have to kill him?’

‘Jealousy is the first that comes to mind. Perhaps he was stalking a married woman or one who was already committed to another man. Then again,’ Howlett went on, ‘he might have defied someone trying to rob him and paid the ultimate price for his bravado.’

‘That alleyway is in more or less constant use,’ said Paul. ‘The killer went there deliberately to murder him. That means he bided his time until there was nobody else about, then struck quickly before taking to his heels. Within seconds, he’d have disappeared into the crowd.’

Howlett cupped a hand to his ear. ‘Could you repeat that, please? I can’t hear you properly in this pandemonium.’ He indicated the tavern. ‘Why don’t we step into the Golden Crown and carry on this discussion over a drink?’

‘I’m too busy, Simeon.’

‘Don’t I deserve any kind of reward?’