“Yes, sir. It seemed most likely that they belonged to Sharon Bate-man, so I asked her to come to the Old Police Cottage. She admitted they were hers and said they’d been sent to her by her father after he’d left home. She’s an odd girl, sir. When I first laid the cards out she went so white that DC Warren and I thought she was going to faint. I made her sit down, but I think it was anger, sir. I could see she wanted to snatch them from the table but was managing to control herself. After that she was perfectly calm. She said they were the most precious things she had, and that she had buried them near the stone when she first came to the Manor because that was a very special place and they would be safe there. I was worried about her for a moment, sir, so I said I’d need to show them to you but that we’d take great care of them and I could see no reason why she couldn’t have them back. I’m not sure I did right, sir. It might have been better to wait until you were back and let Inspector Miskin speak to her.”

Dalgliesh said, “Possibly, but I shouldn’t worry about it, if you’re satisfied that she’s happier now. Keep a careful eye on her. We’ll discuss it tonight. Has Dr. Glenister’s report on the PM arrived?”

“Not yet, sir. She rang to say we should get it by the evening unless she needs a toxicology report.”

“It’s unlikely to surprise us. Is that all, Sergeant?”

“Yes, sir. I don’t think there’s anything else to report. I’m seeing Robin Boyton in half an hour.”

“Right. Find out, if you can, whether he has any expectations from Miss Gradwyn’s will. You’re having an eventful day. Well done. There’s an interesting development here, but we’ll discuss that later. I’ll ring you from Droughton Cross.”

The call was over. Kate said, “Poor girl. If she’s speaking the truth I can see why the cards are important to her. But why cut off the address, and why bother to hide them? They can’t be of value to anyone else, and if she did go to the stones on Friday night to check on them or retrieve them, why did she need to, and why late at night? But Benton said that the package was undisturbed. It looks, sir, as if the cards are nothing to do with the murder.”

Events were moving fast. Before Dalgliesh could reply, the doorbell rang. Kate said, “That’ll be Mr. Macklefield,” and went down to let him in.