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Pillows on either side were placed so that it could not roll off. Jane, frowning, looked up. She was a handsome woman and there was no doubt that she had a conscience: it seemed to be written in her eyes.
    â€œJane,” said Rollison, firmly, “I’m in a bad spot, you don’t need telling that, and I need a little time to sort things out. If I ask my family or my friends for help, gossip will go on wings, and before I know where I am, the newspapers will get this story. So they will if I try to put the child in a nursing home. Will you come to my rescue?”
    Straight Jane looked at him squarely.
    â€œI don’t see why I should.”
    â€œNor do I, but will you?”
    Esmeralda was handling a gold framed hand mirror, the back worked with beautiful petit point, and looking at herself in it. She glanced at Jane, but didn’t speak; she knew when silence was called for.
    â€œSomeone has to look after the baby, I suppose,” Jane said practically. “I’d better have a word with John. I’ll look after him for the night, anyhow; I certainly shan’t leave him here.”
    Rollison gulped. “Him?”
    Jane raised her hands. “Do you seriously mean to say you didn’t know what sex—” she broke off, jumped up, and pushed past him angrily.
    When her voice was audible in the big room, Esmeralda looked seductively into Rollison’s eyes, and said cooingly: “Isn’t this a beautiful dressing table set?”
    â€œYes, isn’t it?”
    â€œAnd what a lovely room.”
    â€œBeautiful.”
    â€œYou know, Rolly, I’ve been thinking,” declared Esmeralda. She put the mirror down, and picked up a tiny scent spray and pressed the bulb gently. She half closed her eyes, as if in ecstasy. “A lot of people call you Rolly, a few call you Richard, and of course everyone knows that you’re called the Toff, but I have a new name for you.”
    â€œOh.” It was easy to be suspicious of this child. “What?”
    â€œLothario.”
    â€œOne of these days I’m going to think up a new name for you,” said Rollison, “and it won’t be Calista. Esmeralda, I may need some help in the next day or two, and I’d want it from someone who knows about this, the fewer the better. Are you likely to be very busy?”
    â€œLothario,” said Esmeralda, picking up the mirror and looking at herself again. She poked at her hair, put her head on one side, and at last seemed satisfied. “Lothario, if I can rely on an honorarium, say something like this, I’d be happy to help.”
    â€œAnd when it’s over I shall recommend you strongly to one of the political parties; you’ll be wasted outside the House of Commons. Are you staying with the Wylies?”
    The look in Esmeralda’s eyes was positively wicked.
    â€œYes, for a few days, but I share a flat in Shepherd Market; I can go back there whenever I like—I’m having a holiday on John and Jane. But you know! Shall I telephone you?”
    â€œPlease,” said Rollison, and rounded the bed and took the mirror away from her. “This is to be for a mission accomplished, not for promised help.”
    â€œI’ll remember,” Esmeralda said.
    Twenty minutes later, Rollison saw them all into the Rolls-Bentley, Jane in the back this time carrying the baby, Esmeralda sitting next to Wylie. The car moved off with only a whisper of sound, and as its red light disappeared, Rollison turned and hurried upstairs, to come back again within five minutes, carrying a camera with a special lens and a flashlight. Jolly, his man, was an accomplished amateur, and his equipment was always in the flat. Rollison bent down and focused, and a bright flash lit up the street – once, twice. Going back into the house, he wondered if Jim the policeman had noticed the flashes and was already on his way to investigate.
    That didn’t matter.
    He ran