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He’s just consumed with jealousy. I thought your book was merveilleux .’
    â€˜And I think we ought to change the subject,’ Ellery said cheerfully, but as he did so he looked Marius over with interest. ‘Who is Roland Payn, may I ask, Mr. Craig?’
    â€˜My attorney, an old friend.’ The big man, too, was inspecting the young musician. ‘And Sam Dark’s been our family doctor ever since he came to Alderwood. Ah, Mrs. Brown. We’ve been waiting for you to join us.’
    â€˜I’ve been looking over our horoscope reading, Mr. Craig,’ Rusty’s mother cried, bouncing into the room, ‘and I do believe I made a wee mistake. The position of Jupiter at your ascendant –’
    â€˜I take it I have reason to feel relieved,’ Craig smiled. ‘Martini, Mrs. Brown?’
    â€˜I’d adore one. The juniper has such significance, you know. Don’t ever cut a juniper bush down in Wales; you’ll die in a year.’
    â€˜Drink some of the gin they’re allegedly making from it these days,’ John said, ‘and you’ll die a lot quicker than that.’
    Ellery said gravely, ‘It also cures snakebite and strengthens the optic nerve, Mrs. Brown.’
    â€˜Really, Mr. Queen?’ Rusty’s mother exclaimed. ‘I hadn’t known that. John, didn’t Rusty say you expect more people?’
    â€˜Four, Mother Brown.’
    â€˜Why, that will make us a party of twelve. How very relieving, John! Imagine if you’d asked one more person .’ She gulped her martini and shuddered, whether from the gin or the horrible thought Ellery could not determine.
    â€˜Twelve?’ Marius Carlo held out his empty glass. ‘Don’t you count the servants, Madam?’
    â€œThe servants?’ Mrs. Brown looked blank.
    â€˜No one counts the servants. Comes the –’
    â€˜â€“ revolution. We know, Marius.’ Valentina was annoyed with him. She threw her head back and became throaty. ‘Come on, Johnny, let us in on it. The bi-i-ig secret.’
    Sebastian laughed. ‘For one thing, I have a birthday on the fire – January sixth, two weeks from today. I’m hoping you can all stay until then.’
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜Four reasons.’ He was enjoying his mystery. ‘Right after midnight of January fifth, four important events are scheduled to take place in my life.’ He shook their questions off, grinning. ‘Wait till the others get here.’
    â€˜But I am,’ a high-pitched male voice said from the doorway. ‘Let the festivities begin!’
    â€˜Sam.’ Craig hurried forward with pleasure. ‘No trouble getting here, I see. Mabel, take Dr. Dark’s things.’ The Craig maid, a strawberry-cheeked Irish girl, ran in to be greeted by the newcomer with a vigorous pinch on the cheek. Mabel giggled, took Dr. Dark’s fur hat, greatcoat and galoshes, and disappeared. ‘Let’s see, now, Sam. I don’t believe you’ve met Mrs. Brown …’
    Dr. Sam Dark was a large fat man, almost as large as Arthur Craig, and even broader. His sandy hair bushed like a busby from his smallish head; he would have looked ridiculous except for his eyes, which were bright with shrewdness. His blue serge suit was unpressed; one cuff button dangled on a long thread. But there was a solidity, a set of dependability, about him that Ellery liked on sight.
    â€˜Have you arranged to stay the entire week?’ Craig asked when Dr. Dark was seated by the fire with a glass cuddled in his huge hand. ‘The answer had better be affirmative.’
    â€˜Hollis and Bernstein are covering for me,’ the fat doctor nodded. ‘It’s a long time since I’ve enjoyed a family Christmas. As one old bach to another, Arthur, you’ve done better than I. Ellen, John, here’s to the tourniquet that binds, and let’s hear no nonsense about blood being thicker