“How many doors are there in the main building?”

“Let me think. There’s the main door, of course. And the side entrance you know about. The door to the kitchen gardens. The terrace, with French doors, where we hold our teas, and of course, one into the coal cellar. That’s too many—he’ll be out through one as soon as you enter another in force.”

“We must wait until dark. It will take that long to collect enough men from Inspector Norman to cover the school.”

“Will there be—damage to the school? I answer to the trustees, they’ll hold me accountable.” She twisted a ring on one finger. “My aunts thought I was too young to have sole responsibility. And I was. But now . . .”

From Reception came the sound of voices, and he looked up. It was Inspector Norman in search of him.

Rutledge excused himself and went to intercept him.

“We’ve just finished searching the tunnels beneath the castle ruins, but he’s not there. Still, I think you ought to come and see what we’ve found in one of the caves.”

“Yes, give me five minutes.” Rutledge returned to Mrs. Farrell-Smith. “I must go. Is there someone you can stay with? Where you’ll be safe? I don’t think it’s a very good idea to go home.”

She was frightened, her face pale. “Surely you don’t think he was in the school to kill me? I wasn’t even there when he was taunted.”

Rutledge said, “Under the circumstances, it’s best if you come to Hastings with us. If you don’t mind sitting in the Inspector’s office, you’ll be safe if not precisely comfortable.”

Relief washed over her face, and she went with him to where Inspector Norman was waiting.

“I’ll explain on the way. At the moment, Mrs. Farrell-Smith is in protective custody.”

Norman said, “Just hurry, that’s all.”

They left for Hastings, and after dropping his charge at the police station, Rutledge went with Inspector Norman to the caves that ran under the cliff on which William of Normandy had built his first castle. There was a warren of the caves, spreading out from shorter tunnels, and Rutledge was reminded of what lay under Dover Castle in Kent. Nature had contrived them, but man had made use of them.