When they moved into the hall after dinner, Christian Gulbrandsen excused himself almost at once. He said he had an important letter to write.

‘So if you will forgive me, dear Carrie Louise, I will go now to my room.’

‘You have all you want there? Jolly?’

‘Yes, yes. Everything. A typewriter, I asked, and one has been put there. Miss Bellever has been most kind and attentive.’

He left the Great Hall by the door on the left which led past the foot of the main staircase and along a corridor, at the end of which was a suite of bedroom and bathroom.

When he had gone out Carrie Louise said:

‘Not going down to the theatre tonight, Gina?’

The girl shook her head. She went over and sat by the window overlooking the front drive and the court.

Stephen glanced at her, then strolled over to the big grand piano. He sat down at it and strummed very softly — a queer melancholy little tune. The two Occupational Therapists, Mr Baumgarten and Mr Lacy, and Dr Maverick, said goodnight and left. Walter turned on the switch of a reading lamp and with a crackling noise half the lights in the hall went out.

He growled.

‘That darned switch is always faulty. I’ll go and put a new fuse in.’

He left the Hall and Carrie Louise murmured, ‘Wally’s so clever with electrical gadgets and things like that. You remember how he fixed that toaster?’

‘It seems to be all he does do here,’ said Mildred Strete. ‘Mother, have you taken your tonic?’

Miss Bellever looked annoyed.

‘I declare I completely forgot tonight.’ She jumped up and went into the dining-room, returning presently with a small glass containing a little rose-coloured fluid.

Smiling a little, Carrie Louise held out an obedient hand.

‘Such horrid stuff and nobody lets me forget it,’ she said, making a wry face.

And then, rather unexpectedly, Lewis Serrocold said: ‘I don’t think I should take it tonight, my dear. I’m not sure it really agrees with you.’

Quietly, but with that controlled energy always so apparent in him, he took the glass from Miss Bellever and put it down on the big oak Welsh dresser.

Miss Bellever said sharply:

‘Really, Mr Serrocold, I can’t agree with you there. Mrs Serrocold has been very much better since — ’

She broke off and turned sharply.

The front door was pushed violently open and allowed to swing to with a crash. Edgar Lawson came into the big dim Hall with the air of a star performer making a triumphal entry.

He stood in the middle of the floor and struck an attitude.

It was almost ridiculous — but not quite ridiculous.

Edgar said theatrically:

‘So I have found you, O mine enemy!’

He said it to Lewis Serrocold.

Mr Serrocold looked mildly astonished.

‘Why, Edgar, what is the matter?’

‘You can say that to me — you!’ You know what’s the matter. You’ve been deceiving me, spying on me, working with my enemies against me.’