«Almost at once. I say, Jerry, I'm taking Mother up with me.»

«Why should she be mixed up in it?»

«Well, I want her help.»

«I call it most unsuitable,» said the Duke.

The Dowager Duchess, however, made no objection.

«I used to know her quite well,» she said, «when she was Christine Ford. Why, dear?»

«Because,» said Lord Peter, «there's a terrible piece of news to be broken to her about her husband.»

«Is he dead, dear?»

«Yes; and she will have to come and identify him.»

«Poor Christine.»