Alleyn said: ‘What’s Mailer’s nationality—has he taken out Italian citizenship?’

‘That can be ascertained. You are thinking, of course, of extradition.’

‘Am I?’ Alleyn muttered absently. ‘Am I?’

The doctor, the ambulance men, the Questore’s subordinate, Vice-Questore Bergarmi and the Roman version of a homicide squad now arrived with their appropriate gear: cameras, tripods, lamps, cases, a stretcher and a canvas sheet; routine props in the international crime show.

The men were solemnly presented. Alleyn supposed Bergarmi to be the opposite number in rank of a detective-inspector.

They were given their instructions. Everyone was immensely deferential to Il Questore Valdarno and, since it was clearly indicated, to Alleyn. The grille was unlocked and the new arrivals went below.

‘We shall not accompany them,’ Valdarno said. ‘It is not necessary. It would be inappropriate. In due course they will report themselves. After all, one does not need a medical officer to tell one when a woman has been strangled.’

Alleyn thought: I’ve got to tread delicately here. This is going to be tricky.

He said, ‘When your photographer has taken his pictures I would be very glad to have another look round, if I might. Particularly at the top railing round the well. Before that fragment of material, whatever it is, is removed. May I?’

‘But of course. You find some significance in this fragment? The rail has a rough surface, many, many persons have brushed past it and grasped it. I saw that you examined the area closely after the lights were on. What did you see? What was this material?’

‘Some kind of black stuff. It’s the position that I find interesting. The rail is about five by two inches. It is indeed rough on the inside surface and it is on the inside surface near the lower edge that this scrap of material has been caught.’

After a considerable pause Valdarno said, ‘This is perhaps a little curious but, I would suggest, not of great moment. Some person has leant over the rail, lolling his arms down, peering into the depths and—’ he stopped, frowned and then said, ‘by all means go down, my friend, and examine the area as you require. You have my full authority.’

‘How very kind,’ Alleyn said and took immediate advantage of the offer.

He went below and found Valdarno’s ‘people’ very active in the familiar routine under Bergarmi. Violetta had been photographed in situ and was now transferred to the stretcher where the surgeon hung over her terrible face. The lid of the sarcophagus was being treated by a fingerprint officer. Alleyn didn’t for a moment suppose that they would find anything. Bergarmi received his principal’s card with elaborate courtesy and little enthusiasm.