He was on the point of arguing when he caught Reginald's eye. There was a warning there.

After a moment Rutledge said, "Yes, I understand. But you know how to find me if you should change your mind."

"I won't," she said with finality. And when he had delivered his passengers at the Hume house, Rosemary offered him her hand as he stood ready to help her out of the motorcar. "Thank you for coming, Ian. It was very kind of you. Maxwell loved you in his way. I think because you understood better than the rest of us. Thank you for that, as well."

And she turned to offer her support to Reginald, her back to Rutledge.

Reginald's face was expressionless. But as he shook Rutledge's hand, he said, "I'm glad you were here. Keep in touch, will you? I have a feeling about things sometimes. I'd like to hear from you."

Rosemary had gone ahead to open the house door and was out of earshot as Reginald spoke the last words. And then she was back, taking his arm as she steadied him on the short walk to the house.

Rutledge saw them inside, and then turned to drive to the police station.

But the constable-his name was Becker-had no more information than the brief message he had passed on to Rutledge.

"The hotel sent someone to find me," he explained. "It was a Sergeant Gibson on the line. I asked him if there was any further information to pass on to you, but he said that someone in Eastfield would explain all you needed to know. I was to tell you privately that the Chief Superintendent had not been at the Yard when the message from Eastfield had come through. And it was too urgent to await his return."

Rutledge said, "My things are at the hotel. I'll be packed and ready to leave in ten minutes."

"I've taken the liberty, sir, to ask Samantha if she will put up sandwiches for you. It's a long way. There will be a bottle of cider as well."