'That was long before my time,' said Waggs. 'The only memoir I'm aware of is in Cissy's head and I don't know how easy it's going to be to pry that out.'

'No? You've met with quite a lot of success so far,' murmured Sempernel. 'Rest, quiet, and above all time are great healers. They are all at your disposal here. Enjoy them.'

He made for the door, stooping to avoid the sagging lintel.

Beneath it he paused, looking like Alice in the White Rabbit's house.

'One last thing,' he said, 'Jacklin has, I hope, made it clear that any grant of a Free Pardon will be in respect of the Mickledore Hall affair only. In respect of the killing of Daphne Bush, there is no doubt about Miss Kohler's culpability. Her release from that sentence is therefore merely under licence which may be revoked in the event of any breach of its terms. You follow me, Mr Waggs?'

'You mean you've got a string you can twitch whenever you feel like it? I follow.' 'Good.' Sempernel passed through the doorway and straightened up so that his face was visible only from the long nose down. I’ll say cheerio, then.' Protected from the Englishman's watery gaze, Waggs pushed his middle finger into the air as he said, 'Yeah.

Goodbye.' He watched from the window till he saw the lanky figure negotiate the muddy path, then he picked up the phone and dialled. 'Mr Jacklin, please. It's Jay Waggs. Jacklin? Hi. How're you doing? We're fine. Yeah, she's resting. Listen, Sempernel's been here. Lots of that slippery Whitehall stuff, but all he's doing is making sure my thick American mind understands the ground rules. Just thought I'd let you know. How are things your end? No change? That's good. Well, keep in touch. Ciao.' He listened for a while longer before putting the receiver down. It might be mere neurosis to imagine he heard significant clicks, but Sempernel struck him as a good man to be neurotic around. And if the phone, then why not everywhere? He went into the kitchen, blew a kiss at the kettle and switched it on. A few moments later he tapped on the bedroom door and entered with a cup of coffee. Cissy Kohler had sat up on the bed and was reading her Bible.