“He was a pretty hefty individual⁠—that’s all I can say. He gave a few hoarse whispers⁠—that’s when I had him by the throat. He said ‘Lemme go, guvnor,’ something like that.”

“An uneducated man, then?”

“Yes, I suppose he was. He spoke like one.”

“I still don’t quite understand about the packet,” said Loraine. “Why should he throw it down as he did? Was it because it hampered him climbing?”

“No,” said Battle. “I’ve got an entirely different theory about that. That packet, Miss Wade, was deliberately thrown down to you⁠—or so I believe.”

“To me ?”

“Shall we say⁠—to the person the thief thought you were.”