‘Consul Sprague tells me there’s great interest in Washington over the whole affair,’ said Sir James. ‘I gather some well-known American journals have even sent special correspondents to report the enquiry.’

A look of irritation settled upon the Attorney-General’s face.

‘It’s a pity the American Consul doesn’t see fit to pursue his position here more rigorously,’ he said.

It was accepted within the tiny British colony that there was antipathy between the two men but to Sir James it appeared that the Attorney-General’s remark indicated more than their usual reserve towards each other.

‘How so?’ he said.

‘He feels there might be a normal explanation for the affair,’ disclosed Flood.

‘Can’t there be?’

‘Not for anyone of average intelligence,’ said Flood.

Sir James disguised the frown by returning to the window. The Attorney-General appeared very convinced of his case, he thought. He wondered if Flood had evidence of which he was unaware. London would expect him to do all he could to uncover a crime if one had been perpetrated; particularly murder.

Baumgartner appeared at the door, reminding them of the time. Sir James nodded, following the man from the room, with the Attorney-General behind him. In the corridor outside the enquiry chamber, Sir James paused to allow Flood to overtake and precede him, so that court protocol could be observed.

Everyone gazed at Flood as he bustled into the room. He hurried expressionlessly to his place, turning to nod at the counsel representing the claimant captain and crew and the Mary Celeste owner only after he had shuffled through some papers, as if expecting some vital document to be missing.

Flood, who was fond of amateur dramatics, often thought of court and enquiry rooms as being very similar to the theatre, places where people staged performances. He gazed around the room, about which there was already an atmosphere of staleness because the windows were closed against the rain and cold, wondering at the portrayals they would witness before this hearing was concluded. He had no doubt that, whatever was attempted, he would be able to strip away the pretence.