It was as if, out of a cloth that had apparently been wrung dry, an unexpected trickle was induced. George, who seemed to be the most vulnerable of the group, shouted: ‘You’ve no right to assume …’ and got no farther. Almost simultaneously Mark and Rose, with the occasional unanimity of lovers, said: ‘This won’t do …’ and were checked by an imperative gesture from Lady Lacklander.

‘Roderick,’ Lady Lacklander demanded, ‘have you been talking to Octavius Phinn?’

‘Yes,’ Alleyn said. ‘I have come straight here from Jacob’s Cottage.’

‘Wait a bit, Mama,’ George blurted out. ‘Wait a bit! Octavius can’t have said anything. Otherwise, don’t you see, Alleyn wouldn’t try to find out from us.’

In the now really deathly silence that followed this speech, Lady Lacklander turned and blinked at her son.

‘You ninny, George,’ she said, ‘you unfathomable fool.’

And Alleyn thought he now knew the truth about Mr Phinn, Colonel Cartarette and Sir Harold Lacklander’s memoirs.

9. Chyning and Uplands

CHAPTER 9

Chyning and Uplands

The next observation was made by Mark Lacklander.

‘I hope you’ll let me speak, Grandmama,’ he said. ‘And Father,’ he added; obviously as a polite afterthought. ‘Although, I must confess, most of the virtue had already gone from what I have to say.’

‘Then why, my dear boy, say it?’

‘Well, Gar, it’s really, you know, a matter of principle. Rose and I are agreed on it. We’ve kept quiet under your orders, but we both have felt, haven’t we, Rose, that by far the best thing is to be completely frank with Mr Alleyn. Any other course, as you’ve seen for yourself, just won’t do.’

‘I have not changed my mind, Mark. Wait, a little.’

‘Oh, yes,’ Kitty said eagerly, ‘I do think so, honestly. Wait. I’m sure,’ she added, ‘it’s what he would have said. Maurie, I mean.’ Her face quivered unexpectedly, and she fumbled for her handkerchief.

Rose made one of those involuntary movements that are so much more graphic than words, and Alleyn, whom for the moment they all completely disregarded, wondered how the Colonel had enjoyed being called Maurie.

George, with a rebellious glance at his mother, said: ‘Exactly what I mean. Wait.’

‘By all means, wait,’ Alleyn interjected, and stood up. They all jumped slightly. ‘I expect,’ he suggested to Lady Lacklander, ‘you would like, before taking any further steps, to consult with Mr Phinn. As a matter of fact, I think it highly probable that he will suggest it himself.’ Alleyn looked very straight at Lady Lacklander. ‘I suggest,’ he said, ‘that you consider just exactly what is at stake in this matter. When a capital crime is committed, you know, all sorts of long-buried secrets are apt to be discovered. It’s one of those things about homicide.’ She made no kind of response to this and, after a moment, he went on: ‘Perhaps when you have all come to a decision you will be kind enough to let me know. They’ll always take a message at the Boy and Donkey. And now, if I may, I’ll get on with my job.’