‘That was beautiful,’ said Peter in a choked voice.

‘I can make it more exciting.’Jonathan stubbed out his cigarette and then fished on the floor on his side of the bed. He brought up a leather mask. ‘If I put this on, it will titillate you even more.’

‘I am in love with you,’ said Peter in a stifled voice. ‘I do not need to play silly games.’

‘You’ll love it. See!’ Jonathan put the mask on and then wound his arms around Peter. ‘Indulge me.’ Then he raised his voice. ‘I have the mask on!’

The bedroom door burst open and a magnesium flash blinded Peter. The man behind the flash was holding a camera. He, too, was masked. The cameraman snapped at Jonathan, ‘You’ve done your work. Now get out of here.’

Jonathan scooped up his clothes and darted from the room. Peter struggled out of bed and ran to the door, which was slammed in his face. He hurriedly dressed and ran downstairs and into the street.

He looked frantically up and down. No one. He went back to the hotel. ‘Who was that man with the camera?’ he demanded.

The man at reception looked at him with flat eyes. ‘I never saw nobody with a camera.’

‘You’re lying,’ howled Peter.

The man smiled at him. ‘Want to go to the police?’

‘That is what I am going to do,’ said Peter, knowing miserably that that was the very last thing he could do.

He could only assume that whoever took that photo meant to blackmail him. Then he thought of detective Harry Cathcart, who was famous for covering up scandals. But would Harry report him to the police?

It was either that or kill himself.

Harry had gone to visit his father, Baron Derrington, a duty call he had been putting off for ages, and so Peter had to fret and worry all weekend.

When Harry arrived at his office on Monday morning, it was to find Peter waiting for him.

‘How can I help you, Sir Peter?’ asked Harry.

‘May I talk to you in private?’ Peter cast a nervous look at the secretary, Ailsa.

‘By all means,’ said Harry. ‘Come into my office.’ He cast a shrewd look at the trembling and sweating Peter and said to his secretary, ‘Miss Bridge, would you please go to Fortnum’s and buy me some chocolates? A large box. Take the money out of the petty cash.’

‘Certainly, sir.’

Inside his inner office, Harry held up his hand for silence until he heard Ailsa leaving.

‘Now, Sir Peter, you may begin.’

‘You will despise me!’

‘Sir Peter, I know so many shocking things that anything you say will fail to amaze me.’

So, in a trembling voice, Peter told him of Jonathan and of how he had been betrayed. He ended by saying, ‘Do you think they will blackmail me?’

‘Probably. Unless –’

The telephone rang. ‘Excuse me,’ said Harry. A voice quacked down the receiver from the other end. ‘I’ll be there as soon as I can,’ said Harry.