Giles Carrington interposed: “Is your engagement a secret, Tony?”

“No, but -”

“Then don't be silly.”

She flushed, and looked down at her hands. “His name is Mesurier,” she said. “He works in my half-brother's firm.”

“And your half-brother objected to the engagement?”

“Yes, because he was a ghastly snob.”

“So he wrote a letter to you, forbidding the engagement?”

“Yes - That is - Yes.”

The Superintendent waited for a moment. “You don't seem very sure about that, Miss Vereker.”

“Yes, I am. He did write.”

“And I think you've destroyed his letter, haven't you?” said Hannasyde quietly.

Her eyes flew to his face: then she burst out laughing. “That's clever of you. How did you guess?”

“Why did you do that, Miss Vereker?”

“Well, principally because it was the sort of letter that would make anyone want to commit murder, and I thought it would be safer,” Antonia replied, ingenuously.

The Superintendent looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, and then got up. “I think it was a pity you destroyed it,” he said. “But we won't go into that now.”

“Are you going to arrest me?” Antonia asked.

He smiled. “Not immediately. Mr Carrington, if I could have a few moments' conversation with you?”

“Can I go home?” said Antonia hopefully.

“Certainly, but I want you to sign your statement first, please. The Constable will have it ready for you in a moment or two.”

“Where's your car, Tony?” asked Giles. “At the cottage? Well, wait for me here, and I'll take you out to collect it, and give you some lunch.”

“Well, thank God for that,” said Antonia. “I've just discovered I've got exactly two and five pence ha'penny on me, and I want some petrol.”

“How like you, Tony!” said Giles, and followed the Superintendent out of the room.