Freddie Eden-Summers frowned, and I sensed a certain belligerence.

‘Whoever killed Dillie will bear marks of the fight,’ said Holmes. ‘This can be done here, or more publicly at the police station, if you so choose.’

Eden-Summers’ jaw clenched, but he acquiesced and collapsed onto a worn velvet chair near the window, where I made quick work of the examination. In rapid succession I searched his hands, arms and torso thoroughly for signs of bruises, scratches, blood, or any indications that he had fought physically with the victim.

To my considerable surprise he did indeed bear the marks of a fight. He had a deep bruise under the left ribs, as though from a hard right punch, and, perhaps more telling, his own right knuckles were bruised and abraded, which I pointed out to Holmes. The young man angrily pulled down his tennis sweater and said, ‘I punched a fellow in the stairwell last night. A bit drunk, he wanted to barge into our private party.’ Holmes looked at him askance, and the boy added, chin jutting in anger, ‘This was seen by several of my Dalliers. They will vouch for me.’

‘What is this man’s name?’

Eden-Summers hesitated just a moment too long. He shrugged. ‘He had never been seen here before.’

Holmes and I exchanged a look. Undoubtedly prevarication. But before we could pursue this line of inquiry, the porter knocked crisply and opened the door without waiting.

‘Mr Eden-Summers,’ he said formally. ‘The police are downstairs. They wish to have a word.’

In a moment, Holmes and I had escaped down a back staircase and were outside in the late afternoon heat, keeping to alleys and vigilant for the police.

‘Your thoughts, Holmes?’ I asked.

‘Inconclusive. Those knuckles. And the odd story of the second ring. I wonder where it went?’

‘In the lock perhaps,’ I offered.

‘Even if his fisticuffs are verified, Eden-Summers has the financial means to have hired Dillie’s killer, if that were his intention. And his reaction was most odd.’

‘You told Eden-Summers you thought he was innocent,’ I said.

Holmes shook his head. ‘To put him at ease so that you could examine him. He is enormously entitled.’

‘That is putting it mildly, Holmes. Where next?’

‘We must see Leo Vitale before the police get to him.’

CHAPTER 31

Leo Vitale