'It is, Superintendent. Unless, that is…'

'Go on,' he coaxed.

'Well, now that I think of it, someone was extremely interested in the sketch when I showed it to her. Like me, she collects silver.'

'Who is the lady?'

'Miss Evans,' she said. 'Miss Carys Evans.'

Before Stockdale could pass a comment, Tomkins came back into the room with sheet of cartridge paper. He handed it to the superintendent who was impressed by the meticulous detail of the sketch, noting the name of Hugh Kellow in a bottom corner. The young silversmith had also been a competent artist.

'Thank you, sir,' said Stockdale. 'May I hold on to this?'

'If you wish,' answered Tomkins.

'It's a highly individual item and very difficult to sell.'

'Heavens!' exclaimed Mrs Tomkins, clutching at her throat. 'Surely, the thief wouldn't destroy my precious coffee pot and have something else made out of the silver?'

'Not according to Inspector Colbeck,' said Stockdale, firmly. 'He believes that the villain has a much better plan.' Pausing for effect, he cleared his throat. 'He intends to let you buy it back from him.'

Winifred emitted a howl of indignation and her husband's jaw dropped. The last time Stockdale had seen such an expression of comprehensive dismay on the old man's face was when he had found him writhing naked between the thighs of a young Welsh prostitute.

As Colbeck walked along St Mary Street, he saw very little of its fine buildings, its plentiful shops, its clean pavements and its gas lamps. He was preoccupied with thoughts of Madeleine Andrews. But for the urgent summons to Cardiff, he would have taken her out to dine that evening and luxuriated in her company for hours. Instead, he was a hundred and sixty miles away, a distance that only intensified his regret. He knew that she would be sorely disappointed but there was nothing he could do about it. His private life was always subsidiary to professional demands. Victor Leeming frequently talked about his family and Colbeck encouraged him to do so. He was very fond of Estelle Leeming and the two children. Yet he never discussed Madeleine with the sergeant. Leeming wore his heart on his sleeve. Colbeck's heart could beat just as fast even though it was kept discreetly from view.