'You mean that he's already married?' said Andrews, worriedly. 'I won't have any man trifling with your affections, Maddie, however high and mighty he might be,'

'He's not married and he never has been. And Robert is certainly not leading me astray. But there was someone in his past and, every so often, that person comes into his mind. At least, that's what I think. It's the only way to explain them.'

'Explain what?'

'Those odd moments,' she said, pursing her lips, 'when he seems to be in mourning for someone.'

The passage of time had not served to calm down Archelaus Pugh. When Colbeck spoke to the manager in his office, Pugh was still in a state of shock, body tense, face pallid, his Welsh lilt exploring higher octaves.

'This could be the ruination of us, Inspector,' he said, dabbing at the perspiration on his brow with a handkerchief. 'The hotel has not long been opened. Murder is bound to affect our business.'

'Temporarily perhaps,' said Colbeck. 'The important thing is to solve the crime as soon as possible so that it does not remain at the forefront of the public's mind. You'll be pleased to hear that I've sanctioned the removal of the body.'

'Thank goodness for that!'

'I'd recommend that you keep that room unoccupied for a while.'

Pugh gave a hollow laugh. 'Who'd want to stay there?'

'I think you'd be surprised, sir. Never underestimate the ghoulish curiosity of some people. Now,' he went on, 'I need some details from you. When was that particular room reserved?'

'This very morning, Inspector,' replied the manager. 'Mr Jones, who was on duty at the time, believes that it was around ten o'clock. The room was booked for one night by a Mr Hugh Kellow.'

'Except that it couldn't have been the real Mr Kellow because his train did not arrive in Cardiff until almost an hour later. The man was patently an impostor.'