It lay on a stretcher not far from the sarcophagus, an inconsequential sequel to a flabby, fat man. It wore a ghastly resemblance to Violetta. This was because Mr Mailer, also, had been strangled.

His body had been knocked about; both before and after death, said the medical man—presumably a police surgeon—called in to make an immediate examination. His face had been scored by fangs of the broken grille. There was a heavy livid mark across the neck quite apart from the typical stigmata of manual strangulation. Alleyn watched the routine procedure and spoke when he was spoken to. There was a certain hauteur in the attitude of the investigating officers.

‘We shall, of course, perform an autopsy,’ said the doctor. ‘He was a man of full habit. No doubt we shall find he was killed not so very long after he had eaten. Ecco! We find certain manifestations. You may cover the cadaver.’ They did so. ‘And remove it,’ added the doctor. ‘Unless, of course—’ he bowed to Alleyn who had moved forward ‘—the Signor Superintendent wishes—?’

Alleyn said, ‘Thank you. I am sure, gentlemen, you have already taken every possible photograph required for the investigation, but unfortunately, as we all know, under such difficult conditions there can be accidents. When I found the body I did get a shot of it in situ.’ He produced his very special minuscule camera. ‘It seems to have survived a rather rough passage,’ he said. ‘If by any chance you would like a print I shall of course be delighted to give you one.’

He knew at once by a certain momentary stillness that no photographs had been taken down below by the recovery team. He hurried on. ‘Perhaps I may be allowed to finish my film and then—a further favour. Signor Bergarmi—perhaps your laboratories would be kind enough to develop it.’

‘Of course, Signore. Our pleasure.’

‘You are very good,’ Alleyn said and instantly whipped back the sheet and took four photographs of Mailer, deceased, with special attention to the right foot. He then removed the cassette and handed it with a bow to Bergarmi.

The body was re-shrouded and taken away.

Bergarmi said irritably that this was a bad evening for such an event. Student demonstrations had broken out in Navona and its surrounding district and threatened to become serious. The Agenti were fully equipped. A mammoth demonstration was planned for the morrow and the police expected it to be the worst yet. He must get this job through as quickly as possible. He suggested that nothing further could be done at the moment but that in view of the grossly altered circumstances his chief would be glad if Alleyn would wait on him in the morning at 9.30. It seemed advisable to call the seven travellers together again. Bergarmi’s officers would attend to this. A car was at Alleyn’s disposal. No doubt he would like to go home.

They shook hands.