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life.’
    â€˜I agree. A heart attack might just possibly be arranged. Unless . . . Does anyone know whether he drinks a lot?’
    â€˜You said something about port, didn’t you, Daintry?’
    â€˜I’m not saying he’s guilty,’ Daintry said.
    â€˜None of us are,’ C said. ‘We are only taking Davis as a possible example ... to help us examine the problem.’
    â€˜I’d like to look at his medical history,’ Percival said, ‘and I’d like to get to know him on some excuse. In a way he would be my patient, wouldn’t he? That is to say if . . .’
    â€˜You and Daintry could arrange that somehow together. There’s no great hurry. We have to be quite sure he’s our man. And now – it’s been a long day – too many hares and too few pheasants – sleep well. Breakfast on a tray. Eggs and bacon? Sausages? Tea or coffee?’
    Percival said, ‘The works, coffee, bacon, eggs and sausages, if that’s all right.’
    â€˜Nine o’clock?’
    â€˜Nine o’clock.’
    â€˜And you, Daintry?’
    â€˜Just coffee and toast. Eight o’clock if you don’t mind. I can never sleep late and I have a lot of work waiting.’
    â€˜You ought to relax more,’ C said.
    3
    Colonel Daintry was a compulsive shaver. He had shaved already before dinner, but now he went over his chin a second time with his Remington. Then he shook a little dust into the basin and touching it with his fingers felt justified. Afterwards he turned on his electric water-pick. The low buzz was enough to drown the tap on his door, so he was surprised when in the mirror he saw the door swing open and Doctor Percival pass diffidently in.
    â€˜Sorry to disturb you, Daintry.’
    â€˜Come in, do. Forgot to pack something? Anything I can lend you?’
    â€˜No, no. I just wanted a word before bed. Amusing little gadget, that of yours. Fashionable, too. I suppose it really is better than an ordinary toothbrush?’
    â€˜The water gets between the teeth,’ Daintry said. ‘My dentist recommended it.’
    â€˜I always carry a toothpick for that,’ Percival said. He took a little red Cartier case out of his pocket. ‘Pretty isn’t it? Eighteen carat. My father used it before me.’
    â€˜I think this is more hygienic,’ Daintry said.
    â€˜Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure of that. This washes easily. I was a general consultant, you know, Harley Street and all, before I got involved in this show. I don’t know why they wanted me – perhaps to sign death certificates.’ He trotted around the room, showing an interest in everything. ‘I hope you keep clear of all this fluoride nonsense.’ He paused at a photograph which stood in a folding case on the dressing-table. ‘Is this your wife?’
    â€˜No. My daughter.’
    â€˜Pretty girl.’
    â€˜My wife and I are separated.’
    â€˜Never married myself,’ Percival said. ‘To tell you the truth I never had much interest in women. Don’t mistake me – not in boys either. Now a good trout stream . . . Know the Aube?’
    â€˜No.’
    â€˜A very small stream with very big fish.’
    â€˜I can’t say I’ve ever had much interest in fishing,’ Daintry said, and he began to tidy up his gadget.
    â€˜How I run on, don’t I?’ Percival said. ‘Never can go straight to a subject. It’s like fishing again. You sometimes have to make a hundred false casts before you place the fly.’
    â€˜I’m not a fish,’ Daintry said, ‘and it’s after midnight.’
    â€˜My dear fellow, I really am sorry. I promise I won’t keep you up a minute longer. Only I didn’t want you to go to bed troubled.’
    â€˜Was I troubled?’
    â€˜It seemed to me you were a bit shocked at C’s attitude – I mean to things in