‘Who would be your choice for such a remarkable piece of hilarity?’ persisted Holmes.

Miss Wyndham laughed, but it was a nervous laugh.

‘Anyone,’ she said. ‘Any of my suitors, I suppose. My mother is bereft, or so she appears to you. But that weak little bird enjoys receiving sympathy and is probably playing up her despair to the hilt. Tell me, has she taken to bed? Oh, I am sure that she has.’ The girl smiled, none too kindly.

‘And your sister?’

‘We are not friends. I stole her beau. Well, not really her beau, he never fancied her. Her dream. Could be Atalanta.’

‘Yes, the archer,’ said Holmes.

‘Perhaps it is someone who is “desperate” to have me found? Well, let’s see. I suppose that might be my father.’ That thought pleased her. ‘Oh, the scandal.’

‘What of your two young men? Do they know you are staying here?’

‘Three young men. Two of them know. One does not. Freddie and Leo know.’

‘And Freddie is Frederick, Lord Eden-Summers – your sister’s dream?’

She shrugged and leaned forward to retie the laces of one of her tennis shoes.

‘And Leo?’

‘Ha! My parents know nothing of him! Leo Vitale. Studying physics. St Cedd’s. Frighteningly intelligent. A bit unschooled with women, but he has potential.’

‘And who is the third? Deacon Buttons?’

‘Perry! Well, yes, but he is hardly in the running. He is besotted, a puppy. You ask too many questions.’ She turned her attention to the other shoe.

‘Please, Miss Wyndham. How do you suppose the culprit acquired your doll? I noted a large tree at the back of the house whose branches reach right up to the window of your bedroom. Which of your young gentlemen is in the habit of accessing your room via this route?’

She looked up in surprise. ‘How do you know this?’ she exclaimed before she could think to deny the fact entirely.

‘It is my profession.’

‘Well, it is none of your business.’

‘There were several sets of footprints in the soft earth beneath the tree, in addition to your own. I suggest that one of these young men retrieved your doll and threw it in the lock. I also suggest that it would be to your advantage to know which. I don’t like it. And neither should you.’

‘I have no idea. Leo or Freddie have visited. But I can’t imagine them doing this.’

‘And the deacon has seen your room?’

‘Yes, I suppose.’

I must have smiled as I pictured all of this. She turned to glare at me. ‘Ah, Doctor! You seem amused. Have you never been young and in love?’

‘Me? Oh, well—!’ I exclaimed. Holmes shot me a bemused look. ‘We were all young once,’ I said.