“I think I can satisfy the court that there is no case to answer.”

“Do you propose to bring witnesses?” asked Gunn.

“Yes, sir. Three witnesses who will state—”

“Really!” Farriman exploded. “We cannot be told in advance what witnesses will state.”

“We can and should be told in advance what the accused’s representative expects to establish,” Gunn said urbanely. “What do you hope to establish, Miss Warrender?”

“That my client could not have committed the crime he is accused of because he was at least six miles away from the place where it was committed,” stated Rachel. She spoke much more clearly now, her voice was firmer and her manner assured. She glanced at Farriman, as if to say: I know what I’m doing as well as you.

Gunn said, “And what have the police to say?”

“The police are quite satisfied that they can prove the charge,” Leeminster declared with equal firmness.

“And can you bring witnesses?”

“We can, sir, in due course.”

Gunn contemplated them both, aware of West watching him intently, and sensed that, for a reason which he couldn’t yet see, this was an important issue for the police. There was another point: the prosecution, in this case the police, could not be denied a remand to enquire into an alibi. If she were a good lawyer, the young woman certainly knew that as well as the police. So they were deliberately sparring, as if each was anxious to find out how far the other would go.

So Rapelli would have to be remanded. The only question was whether it should be on bail or in custody.

“How long do you say it will take the police to prepare their case?” he asked.

“About a week, sir,” Leeminster repeated.

“I can submit the defence now,” said Rachel Warrender. “I have my witnesses outside the courtroom.” She really was pushing hard, as if hoping that the police would yield, even withdraw the case, or at least withdraw their opposition to bail. When Gunn didn’t respond she went on with a touch of impatience, “If there are three witnesses who can state categorically that my client could not possibly have committed the crime since he was in another place at the time the crime was committed, surely that would justify a dismissal, your worship.”