Don’t talk pretentious nonsense about things you don’t understand.’
Alleyn grinned.
‘I think you are being self-conscious and silly,’ continued Lady Alleyn grandly.
‘It’s the lady that you should be cross about, not me.’
‘I’m not cross, Roderick. Give yourself another glass of sherry. No, not for me.’
‘Anyway,’ said Alleyn, ‘I’m glad you like the portrait.’
‘Did you see much of her in Quebec?’
‘Very little, darling. We bowed to each other at mealtimes and had a series of stilted conversations in the lounge. On the last evening she was there I took her to the play.’
‘Was that a success?’
‘No. We were very polite to each other.’
‘Ha!’ said Lady Alleyn.
‘Mamma,’ said Alleyn, ‘you know I am a detective.’ He paused, smiling at her. ‘You look divine when you blush,’ he added.
‘Well, Roderick, I shan’t deny that I would like to see you married.’
‘She wouldn’t dream of having me, you know. Put the idea out of your head, little mum. I very much doubt if I shall ever have another stilted conversation with Miss Agatha Troy.’
The head parlourmaid came in.
‘A telephone call from London for Mr Roderick, m’lady.’
‘From London?’ asked Alleyn. ‘Oh Lord, Clibborn, why didn’t you say I was dead?’
Clibborn smiled the tolerant smile of a well-trained servant, and opened the door.
‘Excuse me, please, Mamma,’ said Alleyn, and went to the telephone.
As he unhooked the receiver, Alleyn experienced the little prick of foreboding that so often accompanies an unexpected long-distance call. It was the smallest anticipatory thrill and was succeeded at once by the unhappy reflection that probably Scotland Yard was already on his track. He was not at all surprised when a familiar voice said:
‘Mr Alleyn?’
‘That’s me. Is it you, Watkins?’
‘Yes, sir. Very pleasant to hear your voice again. The Assistant
Commissioner would like to speak to you, Mr Alleyn.’
‘Right!’
‘Hullo, Mr Alleyn?’ said a new voice.
‘Hullo, sir.’
‘You can go, Watkins.’ A pause, and then: ‘How are you, Rory?’
‘Very fit, thanks, sir.’
‘Ready for work?’
‘Yes. Oh, rather!’
‘Well now, look here. How do you feel about slipping into the saddle three days before you’re due? There’s a case cropped up a few miles from where you are, and the local people have called us in. It would save time and help the department if you could take over for us.’
‘Certainly, sir,’ said Alleyn, with a sinking heart. ‘When?’
‘Now. It’s a homicide case. Take the details. Address, Tatler’s End House.’
‘What! I beg your pardon, sir. Yes?’
‘A woman’s been stabbed. Do you know the place, by any chance?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Thrrree minutes.’
‘Extend the call, please. Are you there, Rory?’
‘Yes,’ said Alleyn. He noticed suddenly that the receiver was clammy.
‘It belongs to the artist, Miss Agatha Troy.’
‘I know.’
‘You’ll get the information from the local super—Blackman—who’s there now. The model has been killed, and it looks like murder.
‘I—can’t—hear.’
‘The victim is an artist’s model. I’ll send Fox down with the other people and your usual kit. Much obliged. Sorry to drag you back before Monday.’
‘That’s all right, sir.’
‘Splendid. I’ll expect your report. Nice to see you again. Goodbye.’
‘Goodbye, sir.’
Alleyn went back to the drawing-room.
‘Well?’ began his mother. She looked up at him, and in a moment was at his side. ‘What’s the matter, old man?’
‘Nothing, ma’am. It was the Yard. They want me to take a case near here. It’s at Tatler’s End House.’
‘But what is it?’
‘Murder, it seems.’
‘Roderick!’
‘No, no. I thought that, too, for a moment. It’s the model. I’ll have to go at once. May I have the car?’
‘Of course, darling.’ She pressed a bell-push, and when Clibborn came, said: ‘Mr Roderick’s overcoat at once, Clibborn, and tell French to bring the car round quickly.’ When Clibborn had gone she put her hand on Alleyn’s. ‘Please tell Miss Troy that if she would like to come to me—’
‘Yes, darling. Thank you. But I must see what it’s all about first. It’s a case.’
‘Well, you won’t include Agatha Troy among your suspects, I hope?’
‘If there’s a question of that,’ said Alleyn, ‘I’ll leave the service. Good night. Don’t sit up. I may be late.’
Clibborn came in with his overcoat.
‘Finish your sherry,’ ordered his mother. He drank it obediently. ‘And, Roderick, look in at my room, however late it is.’
He bowed, kissed her lightly, and went out to the car.
It was a cold evening with a hint of frost on the air. Alleyn dismissed the chauffeur and drove himself at breakneck speed towards Tatler’s End House. On the way, three vivid little pictures appeared, one after another, in his mind. The wharf at Suva. Agatha Troy, in her old smock and grey bags, staring out over the sea while the wind whipped the short hair back from her face. Agatha Troy saying goodbye at night on the edge of the St Lawrence.
The headlights shone on rhododendrons and tree-trunks, and then on a closed gate and the figure of a constable. A torch flashed on Alleyn’s face.
‘Excuse me, sir—’
‘All right. Chief Detective-Inspector Alleyn from the Yard.’
The man saluted.
‘They’re expecting you, sir.’
The gate swung open, and Alleyn slipped in his clutch. It was a long winding drive, and it seemed an age before he pulled up before a lighted door. A second constable met him and showed him into a pleasant hall where a large fire burned.
‘I’ll tell the superintendent you’ve arrived, sir,’ said the man, but as he spoke, a door on Alleyn’s left opened and a stout man with a scarlet face came out.
‘Hullo, hullo! This is very nice. Haven’t seen you for ages.’
‘Not for ages,’ said Alleyn. They shook hands. Blackman had been superintendent at Bossicote for six years, and he and Alleyn were old acquaintances. ‘I hope I haven’t been too long.’
‘You’ve been very quick indeed, Mr Alleyn. We only rang the Yard half an hour ago. They told us you