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– two of them are women. That’s Rosa and Allegra Marziani – we could start with them. Then there’s one of the lion tamers, Pearl Wayland. Also one of the high wire act … erm, wait … yes, here she is, Adele Beauchêne. Plus three sisters who juggle – Betty, Joan, and Anne Warner. Then just one other, I think – Molly James, the trick pony rider or whatever they’re called.’
    â€˜Right. Come on, let’s make a start. What’s the chief’s name?’
    â€˜It’s Chester Martin. Look – over there.’
    Boase indicated a caravan with the ringmaster’s name painted on the side and the two men crossed the field towards it. Bartlett knocked. The door opened and a rather shabby little man stood there. He was wearing brown trousers with braces hanging loosely by his sides and a grubby, greyish vest. Boase was astonished that this could be the dapper man he had seen in charge of the big top the evening before.
    â€˜Yes?’
    â€˜Good afternoon, Mr Martin. We’ve met before. I’m Inspector Bartlett and this is Constable Boase.’
    â€˜Yes. I remember you. What do you want?’
    â€˜Can we come inside please, Mr Martin?’
    The man opened the door and Bartlett and Boase went inside the caravan. The smell of stale food pervaded the small compartment which was being used as a sitting room. Bartlett moved a pile of papers from a bench and sat down. Boase remained standing.
    â€˜I’m sorry to say we have come here with some bad news, sir. Please sit.’
    â€˜What is it? What’s happened?’
    â€˜I’m afraid it’s about a member of your troupe – Clicker. I’m very sorry to tell you that he was found dead this morning.’
    â€˜Dead? Clicker? No. No – you must be mistaken. I only saw him yesterday.’
    â€˜I’ve been told that he didn’t perform last night?’
    Chester Martin looked at Bartlett.
    â€˜Yes. That’s right. I wasn’t told. He didn’t send a message so everyone assumed that he was ill. It wasn’t like him to miss a performance but he had been getting quite tired lately so when he didn’t show up I didn’t really make much of it. I thought I’d leave him alone last night and go and see him this morning. He was such a lovely man, although he could be a little awkward at times.’
    â€˜And did you?’
    â€˜Did I what?’
    Bartlett coughed and looked impatiently at Boase.
    â€˜Did you go and see him this morning?’
    â€˜Well, I tried. I went to his caravan and knocked a couple of times but there was no answer so I just thought he was still asleep.’
    â€˜And what time was that?’
    â€˜Oh, about midday, I suppose.’
    â€˜Was that normal for him to be still asleep at midday – did you not find that unusual?’
    â€˜Well, not really. We perform late sometimes and quite often we’re late risers.’
    â€˜That makes sense, I suppose. Were you aware of anything that was troubling him or anyone who might have reason to harm him?’
    Chester Martin sat back further in his chair.
    â€˜Harm him? Are you saying someone killed him?’
    â€˜I think that might be likely, sir.’
    â€˜But that’s terrible. I … I can’t believe it.’
    Bartlett stood up and went towards the door of the caravan. He turned and looked again at Chester Martin.
    â€˜I will need someone to identify Clicker – I understand from our previous enquiries here that he has no family – so, I would like to ask you if you can identify the body. Would you be able to do that for us, sir?’
    â€˜What do you mean … no family?’
    â€˜Well, just what I say. That’s what I understand to be the case.’
    â€˜It isn’t true. He has a daughter.’
    â€˜And where might I find her?’
    â€˜Here.’
    â€˜Here?’
    â€˜Yes. Clicker’s daughter is Molly