“As you wish,” Kenneth said.

“Don't throw him over, Giles!” Antonia begged, a catch in her voice. “Please , please don't desert us.”

His face softened; he said more gently: “I shan't do that, Tony. But I can't handle a case where I'm kept in the dark.”

“All very moving,” remarked Kenneth. “So far I haven't asked you to handle my case. Supposing someone in my party did lose sight of me for half an hour? Have you ever danced at the Albert Hall? It's a largish sort of place, you know.”

“Yes, and we sat out a good bit,” Leslie said.

Antonia looked anxiously at Giles. “You think he's in a mess, Giles?”

“I know he's in a mess.”

“Any fool could see that,” said Kenneth contemptuously. “First I kill Arnold, then Roger turns up, so naturally I have to kill him as well. All for filthy lucre too. Take that worried look off your face, Tony; there's no evidence.”

“There's your pipe,” she pointed out.

“They won't hang me on that,” he answered.