Miss Blacklock gave a subdued chuckle, Patrick muttered: ‘Adherent-notadhesive -that’s where I went wrong.’

Suddenly a loud cluck, like a startled hen, came from Miss Bunner.

‘Letty-Letty-have you seen this? Whatevercan it mean?’

‘What’s the matter, Dora?’

‘The most extraordinary advertisement. It says Little Paddocks quite distinctly. But whatever can itmean?’

‘If you’d let me see, Dora dear-’

Miss Bunner obediently surrendered the paper into Miss Blacklock’s outstretched hand, pointing to the item with a tremulous forefinger.

‘Just look, Letty.’

Miss Blacklock looked. Her eyebrows went up. She threw a quick scrutinizing glance round the table. Then she read the advertisement out loud.

‘A murder is announced and will take place on Friday,

October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30 p.m.

Friends please accept this, the only intimation.’

Then she said sharply: ‘Patrick, is this your idea?’

Her eyes rested searchingly on the handsome devil-may-care face of the young man at the other end of the table.

Patrick Simmons’ disclaimer came quickly.

‘No, indeed, Aunt Letty. Whatever put that idea into your head? Why should I know anything about it?’

‘I wouldn’t put it past you,’ said Miss Blacklock grimly. ‘I thought it might be your idea of a joke.’

‘A joke? Nothing of the kind.’

‘And you, Julia?’

Julia, looking bored, said: ‘Of course not.’

Miss Bunner murmured: ‘Do you think Mrs Haymes-’ and looked at an empty place where someone had breakfasted earlier.

‘Oh, I don’t think our Phillipa would try and be funny,’ said Patrick. ‘She’s a serious girl, she is.’