“I looked at my watch to check how long I’d been sleeping. It was about twenty to twelve. It was then I heard the lift. It’s opposite Sister’s suite—well, I expect you’ve seen it. I just heard the gentle clang of the doors and then a sort of purring sound as it went down. Before going back to bed, I went to draw back the curtains. I always sleep with the window a little open, and I thought I’d like some air. It was then I saw this light among the Cheverell Stones.”

“What kind of light, Mrs. Skeffington?”

“A small light moving among the stones. It could have been a torch, I suppose. It flickered and then it disappeared. Perhaps whoever was there had switched it off, or pointed it down. I didn’t see it again.” She paused.

Dalgliesh said, “And then what did you do?”

“Well, I was frightened. I remembered about the witch who was burnt there and how the stones are said to be haunted. There was some light from the stars, but it was very dark and I had the sense that there was someone there. Well, there must have been or I wouldn’t have seen the light. I don’t believe in ghosts, of course, but it was eerie. Horrible, really. Suddenly I wanted company. I wanted someone to talk to, so I thought of the patient next door. But when I opened the door into the corridor I realised that I wasn’t being—well, considerate, I suppose. After all, it was nearly midnight. She was probably asleep. If I woke her, she’d probably complain to Sister Holland. Sister can be quite strict if you do something she disapproves of.”

Kate said, “So you knew it was a woman next door?”

Mrs. Skeffington looked at her, Kate thought, as she might have turned her gaze on a recalcitrant housemaid. “It usually is a woman, isn’t it? I mean, this is a clinic for cosmetic surgery. Anyway, I didn’t knock on the next door. I decided I’d ring Kimberley for some tea and read or listen to the radio until I felt tired.”

Dalgliesh asked, “And when you looked out into the corridor, did you see anyone or hear anything?”

“No, of course I didn’t. I would have said so before now. The corridor was empty and very quiet. Creepy, really. Just the one low light outside the lift.”

Dalgliesh asked, “When exactly did you open your door and look out? Can you remember?”

“I suppose about five to twelve. I couldn’t have spent more than five minutes at the window. So I rang for tea, and Kimberley brought it up.”

“Did you tell her about the light?”