She was trying not to laugh at him. ‘Well, I don’t know what effect he has on the enemy, but by God, Bacchus terrifies you, sir. Has he any redeeming human features, this man of mystery?’
‘What, you are about to ask, does he “do for pleasure”? Well, I’ll tell you. Er … he translates stories from the Russian … Pushkin, I think.’
‘Ah.’
‘Into Portuguese.’
After a satisfying moment of disbelief, her laughter burst through.
‘My other men you already know. I’ve called in Hopkirk and Chappel, who are still working on the admiral’s death, and Rupert Fanshawe whom you danced with this evening.’
‘I’d feel easier appearing in uniform.’
‘The meeting’s called for three a.m. I can send you back to your hostel to change. It’s in the Strand, isn’t it? Mrs Turnbull’s ghastly barracks? I’ll put you in a taxi. No — I’d better come with you and face the old dragon myself.’
‘No need for all that, sir. I changed at my aunt’s apartment.’
‘The hat shop lady?’