Dexter looked pained.
"This is going to sound strange," he said"but have you just seen someone looking very like me?"
I nodded slowly.
"He was standing right beside me, a moment ago." I brightened up a bit as I remembered standing on his feet. "He'll be a bit slower than usual! Where have you been?"

But Dexter was already limping off, after his doppelganger. He looked back.
"Can't tell you now," he said, "but I could explain later over a leisurely drink!" and he gave me a tired leer. I was almost impressed at his persistence.

It looked as if the roads would be closed for some time. I returned home, thinking of Dexter. Now I knew he had a double I was no longer sure who I'd seen from the punt, or even in the museum. Which Dexter was it who had held the key?

The crowds in the High Street were still getting in the way of the buses. I decided to take a shortcut along Merton Street and ducked down beside Oriel College. As I came into Oriel Square I stopped suddenly and hastily retreated into the alley - there was Eleanor, wearing the sheepskin coat! I had to fight the urge to give the pilfering so and so a piece of my mind. It sounded like she was talking to herself, and then realised it was just a hands-free mobile. Fortunately she was having trouble with reception, and had to talk very loud.

"Yes, I found the key. I was just coming to bring him some sandwiches, but it's too late!" A patch of squawking from the phone. "They let him out! What do you mean you know?" Pause. "Well I don't know what you expect me to..."
I thought fast. If this was Dexter they were talking about there were some serious questions to be answered!

I ran back down the alley towards the cordon, pushed through the people and ducked underneath. A policeman strode towards me, a purposeful glint in his eye.

"Quick!" I said. "There's a crime in progress!" He looked a little sceptical, but followed me, after a short mutter into his radio. I led him down the alley. At the other end we could still hear Eleanor ranting. "There!" I said triumphantly. "I have reason to believe she's been holding a prisoner in Exeter College."
Eleanor broke off her phone call and looked at me, utter incredulity knitting her eyebrows. The policeman's expression wasn't much more encouraging.

"Officer..." began Eleanor, recovering her poise, but she was interrupted.
"Where did you get that coat, Madam?" asked the policeman. "We have had reports of a very similar coat being stolen from Unicorn recently. " Eleanor's eyes widened, and she whirled round. She rows for Keble, and does a lot of training, but clearly the constable did more. He caught her easily, and arrested her mostly for kicking his shins. I slipped away while they were still arguing.

As I walked a phrase I'd overheard suddenly made sense. Eleanor said something about "the dinner" and how "he'd have to be there". I'd forgotten all about the Keble MCR dinner. Would Rob be there? He'd never missed one yet.

I suddenly realised I'd be seeing Dexter for that leisurely drink after all.

The Final Chapter will be printed in 8th week.

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