But the war had been over for nearly two years. Why would such a disc be placed in the mouth of a murder victim?

Hamish, who had been quiet for a time, said quite clearly, "Revenge."

Rutledge suppressed a start, for it seemed that the soft Scots voice had echoed around the room, obvious to everyone. But when neither of the other men responded to it, he said after a moment, "There are three discs here."

"One was also found in the mouth of Jimmy Roper, who was sitting with a cow suffering from colic when he was killed. There was no one else in the barn, no sign of forced entry, and no one in the house-Roper's father or the maid who kept house and cooked for the two men-had heard anything," Pierce answered. "As for my son, he was discovered on the ground floor of the brewery, just by the stairs. Dr. Gooding examined his mouth there and then, and found the third one." Rutledge could hear the undercurrent of rage in the quiet voice.

Rutledge looked closely at the names on the discs. One belonged to a corporal in a Yorkshire regiment, the second to a Welsh sapper, and the third to a private from Cheshire. Turning to Pierce, he asked, "Was your son an officer?"

"Yes, of course."

"Officers weren't issued identity discs," he pointed out. "I wonder if these men survived the war?" He shook his head. "Three different regiments. What could these three soldiers have had in common with three men living quietly here in Sussex?"

"That's precisely why I asked the Yard to step in. We need to learn what we can about these soldiers if we're to answer the question. I'm sure you must know someone in the War Office who can find out for us. Where they served, and if their paths ever crossed."

Rutledge did know such a man but had no intention of applying to him for answers. But Sergeant Gibson would have his own way of looking into the matter.

"Tell me about their war records-Jeffers's, Roper's, and your son's. Were they ever involved in any trouble during the fighting? Discipline, misconduct, brawling?"