They climbed the River Path up Watt’s Hill. Skip began to whine and to wag his tail. In a moment the cause of his excitement came into view, a large tabby cat sitting on the path in the bright moonlight washing her whiskers. Skip dropped on his haunches and made a ridiculous sound in his throat. Thomasina Twitchett, for it was she, threw him an inimical glance, rolled on her back at Alleyn’s feet and trilled beguilement. Alleyn liked cats. He stooped down and found that she was in the mood to be carried. He picked her up. She kneaded his chest and advanced her nose towards his.

‘My good woman,’ Alleyn said, ‘you’ve been eating fish.’

Though he was unaware of it at the time, this was an immensely significant discovery.

5. Hammer Farm

CHAPTER 5

Hammer Farm

When they approached Hammer Farm Alleyn saw that the three demesnes on Watt’s Hill ended in spinneys that separated them from the lower slopes and, as the sergeant had observed, screened them from the reaches of the Chyne below Bottom Bridge. The River Path ran upwards through the trees and was met by three private paths serving the three houses. The sergeant led the way up the first of these. Thomasina Twitchett leapt from Alleyn’s embrace and with an ambiguous remark darted into the shadows.

‘That’ll be one of Mr Phinn’s creatures, no doubt,’ said Sergeant Oliphant. ‘He’s crackers on cats, is Mr Phinn.’

‘Indeed,’ Alleyn said, sniffing at his fingers.

They emerged in full view of Hammer Farm house with its row of french windows lit behind their curtains.

‘Not,’ said the sergeant, ‘that it’s been a farm or anything like it, for I don’t know how long. The present lady’s had it done up considerable.’

Skip gave a short bark and darted ahead. One of the curtains was pulled open and Mark Lacklander came through to the terrace, followed by Rose.

‘Skip?’ Rose said. ‘Skip?’

He whined and flung himself at her. She sank to her knees crying and holding him in her arms. ‘Don’t, darling,’ Mark said; ‘don’t. He’s wet and muddy. Don’t.’

Alleyn, Fox and Sergeant Oliphant had halted. Mark and Rose looked across the lawn and saw them standing in the moonlight with their wet clothes shining and their faces shadowed by their hat-brims. For a moment neither group moved or spoke and then Alleyn crossed the lawn and came towards them, bareheaded. Rose stood up. The skirts of her linen housecoat were bedabbled with muddy pawmarks.

‘Miss Cartarette?’ Alleyn said. ‘We are from the CID. My name is Alleyn.’

Rose was a well-mannered girl with more than her share of natural dignity. She shook hands with him and introduced him to Mark. Fox was summoned and Sergeant Oliphant eased up the path in an anonymous manner and waited at the end of the terrace.