The box was empty. “Would you like to ring for some,” Alleyn asked, “or would these be any use?” He opened his case and put it on the table in front of her with an ash-tray and matches. “They are your sort, I think.”
“So they are. That is kind. But I must see that there are some here, because if we are going to be any time at all I shall smoke all these and then what will you do?”
“Please smoke them. I’m not allowed cigarettes on duty.”
He watched her light the cigarette and inhale deeply. Her hands were not quite steady.
“Now I’m ready for anything,” she said.
“It won’t be a solemn affair. I just want to check over your own movements, which seem to be very plain-sailing, and then I’ll ask you to tell me anything you can think of that may help us to sort things out a little.”
“I expect I’m much more likely to muddle them up, but I’ll try to keep my head.”
“According to my notes,” said Alleyn, looking dubiously at them, “you went to your room with Lady Wutherwood and Lady Katherine Lobe and remained there until you heard Lord Wutherwood call the second time. Then, followed by Lady Wutherwood, you went to the drawing-room.”
“Yes. She didn’t come into the drawing-room, you know. I hurried on ahead of her.”
“To ask for some one to take them down in the lift?”