‘A complete list of Ziegfeldt’s agents and a full account of his modus operandi between Izmir and the USA. Step by step. With particular respect to Mailer.’

‘I can’t. I don’t know. I—I’m not—I’m not as deeply committed—’

‘Or trusted? Perhaps not. But you’re fairly far in or you wouldn’t have been given your present job.’

‘I can’t do it, Alleyn.’

‘Giovanni is being questioned.’

‘Give me time.’

‘No.’

‘I want a drink.’

‘You may have a drink. Shall we go to your room?’

‘All right,’ said Sweet. ‘All right, God damn you, all right.’

IV

When Alleyn got back to his hotel he found a note from Lady Braceley under his door and a message that ‘Fox’ had rung from London and would ring again at six. The time was now 5.15. Lady Braceley wrote a large, mad hand that spilled all over the paper.

‘Must see you,’ said the note. ‘Terribly urgent. Desperate. Please, please come to this apartment as soon as possible. If you see K. say nothing. S.B.’

‘This,’ Alleyn said to himself, ‘is going to be the bottom. Bullying a phoney Major is a pastoral symphony compared to the tune Lady B.’s going to call.’

He tore up the note and went to the apartment.

She received him, predictably, on a chaise-longue, wearing a gold lamé trouser suit. A hard-featured maid let him in and withdrew, presumably into the bedroom.

Lady Braceley swung her feet to the floor and held out her hands. ‘Oh God!’ she said. ‘You’ve come. Oh bless you, bless you, bless you.’

‘Not at all,’ Alleyn said, and glanced at the bedroom door.

‘It’s all right. Swiss. Doesn’t speak a word of English.’

‘What is it, Lady Braceley? Why do you want to see me?’

‘It’s in deadly confidence. Deadly. If Kenneth knew I was telling you I don’t know what he’d say to me. But I just can’t take this sort of thing. It kills me. He won’t come in. He knows I always rest until six and then he always rings first. We’re safe.’

‘Perhaps you’ll explain—’

‘Of course. It’s just that I’m so nervous and upset. I don’t know what you’re going to say.’

‘Nor,’ Alleyn said lightly, ‘do I. Until I hear what it’s all about.’

‘It’s about him. Kenneth. And me. It’s—oh, he’s been so naughty and stupid, I can’t think what possessed him. And now—if you knew where he’s landed us.’

‘What has he done?’