I turned to the list of victims, going through the detailed dossiers which the Special Branch had compiled, in the hope that the identities of the murdered residents might suggest some elusive clue. The sets of photographs, entries from Who's Who, the photostats of birth and marriage certificates, share portfolios and bank statements, academic qualifications and honorary degrees passed between my hands, the records of gifted lives so brutally ended.

1. The Avenue. _Julian Reade_, 43, chairman, Reade Investments. _Dr. Miriam Reade_, 41, ear, nose and throat specialist, Wimpole Street. _Shot_.

2 daughters: Annabel, 16, and Gail, 15.

2. The Avenue. _Charles Ogilvy_, 47, Lloyds underwriter; hon. secretary, Pangbourne Polo Club. _Margaret Ogilvy_, 42. _Shot_.

1 son: Jasper, 17.

3. The Avenue. _Roger Garfield_, 52, merchant banker. _Helen Garfield_, 47, proprietor, Pedigree Kennels, Windsor. _Shot_.

1 son: Alexander, 16.

4. The Avenue. _David Miller_, 49, stockbroker. _Elizabeth Miller_, 46. _Electrocuted_.

1 son: Robin, 13. 1 daughter: Marion, 8.

5. The Avenue. _Dr. Harold Maxted_, 54, psychiatrist, Harley Street. _Dr. Edwina Maxted_, 48, psychiatrist, High Street, Kensington. _Crushed by car_.

1 son: Jeremy, 17.

6. The Avenue. _Margot Winterton_, 48, concert pianist. _Richard Winterton_, 57, director, Winterton Arrangements Ltd. _Shot_.

No children.

1. The Hill. _Richard Sterling_, 49, chief executive, EduCable, Oxford-area TV franchise. _Carole Sterling_, 42, former ITN newsreader. _Suffocated_.

1 son: Roger, 15.

2. The Hill. _Andrew Lymington_, 38, chairman, Leisure Marine Ltd. Ex-racing driver, 1982 Western Australia powerboat champion. _Sheila Lymington_, 37, former professional ice-dance skater. _Shot_.

1 son: Graham, 15. 1 daughter: Amanda, 14.

3. The Hill. _Ernest Sanger_, 57, chairman, Sanger Finance. Proprietor, Windsor World Theme Park, Slough. _Deirdre Sanger_, 54, managing director, She-She Fashions, Brent Cross. _Shot_.

1 son: Mark, 16.

4. The Hill. _Graham Zest_, 46, chairman, Zest Health Foods. _Beverly Zest_, 42, company secretary, Zest Health Foods. _Shot with crossbow_.

1 son: Andrew, 16. 1 daughter: Emma, 15.

The most careful research into the backgrounds of these murdered men and women has failed to reveal any common factor that might prompt a wholesale attack. The responsible character of the parents and the generous quality of family life have been reconstructed from the abundant testimony of those domestic servants who fortunately were absent on June 25 (a Saturday, and their day off for most of the staff). All testify that the murder victims were enlightened and loving parents, who shared liberal and humane values which they displayed almost to a fault. The children attended exclusive private day schools near Reading, and their successful academic records reveal a complete absence of stress in their home lives. The parents (all of whom, untypically for their professional class, seem to have objected to boarding schools) devoted long hours to their offspring, even to the extent of sacrificing their own social lives. They joined the children in various activities at the recreation club, organized discotheques and bridge contests in which they took full part, and in the best sense were guiding their sons and daughters toward fulfilled and happy lives when they themselves were cut down so tragically.