‘Who’s likely to have done her in, d’you think?’ said the Sergeant. ‘Seems unnatural.’

‘Even Games Mistresses may have their love lives,’ said Detective Inspector Kelsey. ‘Where did they say the body was found?’

‘In the Sports Pavilion. I suppose that’s a fancy name for the gymnasium.’

‘Could be,’ said Kelsey. ‘Death of a Games Mistress in the Gymnasium. Sounds a highly athletic crime, doesn’t it? Did you say she was shot?’

‘Yes.’

‘They find the pistol?’

‘No.’

‘Interesting,’ said Detective Inspector Kelsey, and having assembled his retinue, he departed to carry out his duties.

II

The front door at Meadowbank was open, with light streaming from it, and here Inspector Kelsey was received by Miss Bulstrode herself. He knew her by sight, as indeed most people in the neighbourhood did. Even in this moment of confusion and uncertainty, Miss Bulstrode remained eminently herself, in command of the situation and in command of her subordinates.

‘Detective Inspector Kelsey, madam,’ said the Inspector.

‘What would you like to do first, Inspector Kelsey? Do you wish to go out to the Sports Pavilion or do you want to hear full details?’

‘The doctor is with me,’ said Kelsey. ‘If you will show him and two of my men to where the body is, I should like a few words with you.’

‘Certainly. Come into my sitting-room. Miss Rowan, will you show the doctor and the others the way?’ She added, ‘One of my staff is out there seeing that nothing is disturbed.’

‘Thank you, madam.’

Kelsey followed Miss Bulstrode into her sitting-room. ‘Who found the body?’

‘The matron, Miss Johnson. One of the girls had earache and Miss Johnson was up attending to her. As she did so, she noticed the curtains were not pulled properly and going to pull them she observed that there was a light on in the Sports Pavilion which there should not have been at 1 a.m.,’ finished Miss Bulstrode dryly.

‘Quite so,’ said Kelsey. ‘Where is Miss Johnson now?’

‘She is here if you want to see her?’

‘Presently. Will you go on, madam.’

‘Miss Johnson went and woke up another member of my staff, Miss Chadwick. They decided to go out and investigate. As they were leaving by the side door they heard the sound of a shot, whereupon they ran as quickly as they could towards the Sports Pavilion. On arrival there—’

The Inspector broke in. ‘Thank you, Miss Bulstrode. If, as you say, Miss Johnson is available, I will hear the next part from her. But first, perhaps, you will tell me something about the murdered woman.’

‘Her name is Grace Springer.’

‘She has been with you long?’

‘No. She came to me this term. My former Games Mistress left to take up a post in Australia.’

‘And what did you know about this Miss Springer?’

‘Her testimonials were excellent,’ said Miss Bulstrode.

‘You didn’t know her personally before that?’

‘No.’

‘Have you any idea at all, even the vaguest, of what might have precipitated this tragedy? Was she unhappy? Any unfortunate entanglements?’