Vera cried: «What?»

Lombard said: «Vanished clean off the island.»

Blore concurred: «Vanished – that’s the word! Like some damned conjuring trick.»

Vera said impatiently: «Nonsense! He’s hiding somewhere!»

Blore said: «No, he isn’t! I tell you, there’s nowhere to hide on this island. It’s as bare as your hand! There’s moonlight outside. As clear as day it is. And he s not to be found.»

Vera said: «He doubled back into the house.»

Blore said: «We thought of that. We’ve searched the house too. You must have heard us. He’s not here, I tell you. He’s gone – clean vanished, vamoosed…»

Vera said incredulously: «I don’t believe it.»

Lombard said: «It’s true, my dear.»

He paused and then said:

«There’s one other little fact. A pane in the dining-room window has been smashed – and there are only three little Soldier boys on the table.»