‘Unless you can develop a deep-seated and obstinate malady, Brer Fox,’ Alleyn said, ‘you haven’t got a hope.’

‘A thoroughly nice woman,’ Fox said, and added ambiguously: ‘What a pity!’

They got their petrol and drove on to the police station.

Here Sergeant Oliphant awaited them with two messages from Scotland Yard.

‘Nice work,’ Alleyn said. ‘Damn’ quick.’

He read aloud the first message. ‘Information re trout scales checked with Natural History Museum, Royal Piscatorial Society, Institute for Preservation of British Trout Streams and Dr S. K. M. Solomon, expert and leading authority. All confirm that microscopically your two trout cannot exhibit precisely the same characteristics in scales. Cartarette regarded as authority.’

‘Fine!’ said Inspector Fox. ‘Fair enough!’

Alleyn took up the second slip of paper. ‘Report,’ he read, ‘on the late Sir Harold Lacklander’s will.’ He read to himself for a minute then looked up. ‘Couldn’t be simpler,’ he said. ‘With the exception of the usual group of legacies to dependants the whole lot goes to the widow and to the son, upon whom most of it’s entailed.’

‘What Miss Kettle told us.’

‘Exactly. Now for the third. Here we are. Report on Commander Geoffrey Syce, R.N., retired. Singapore, 1st March, 195– to 9th April, 195–. Serving in H.M.S. – , based on Singapore. Shore duty. Activities, apart from duties. At first, noticeably quiet tastes and habits. Accepted usual invitations but spent considerable time alone, sketching. Later cohabited with a so-called Miss Kitty de Vere whom he is believed to have met at a taxi-dance. Can follow up history of de Vere if required. Have ascertained that Syce rented apartment occupied by de Vere who subsequently met and married Colonel Maurice Cartarette to whom she is believed to have been introduced by Syce. Sources: …’

There followed a number of names, obtained from the Navy List and a note to say that H.M.S. – being now in port it had been possible to obtain information through the appropriate sources at the ‘urgent and important’ level.

Alleyn dropped the chit on Oliphant’s desk.

‘Poor Cartarette,’ he said with a change of voice, ‘and if you like, poor Syce.’

‘Or, from the other point of view,’ Fox said, ‘poor Kitty.’

IV