Miss Bulstrode shook her head. ‘Nothing that I know of. I may say,’ she went on, ‘that it seems to me most unlikely. She was not that kind of a woman.’

‘You’d be surprised,’ said Inspector Kelsey darkly.

‘Would you like me to fetch Miss Johnson now?’

‘If you please. When I’ve heard her story I’ll go out to the gym—or the—what d’you call it—Sports Pavilion?’

‘It is a newly built addition to the school this year,’ said Miss Bulstrode. ‘It is built adjacent to the swimming pool and it comprises a squash court and other features. The racquets, lacrosse and hockey sticks are kept there, and there is a drying room for swim suits.’

‘Was there any reason why Miss Springer should be in the Sports Pavilion at night?’

‘None whatever,’ said Miss Bulstrode unequivocally.

‘Very well, Miss Bulstrode. I’ll talk to Miss Johnson now.’

Miss Bulstrode left the room and returned bringing the matron with her. Miss Johnson had had a size-able dollop of brandy administered to her to pull her together after her discovery of the body. The result was a slightly added loquacity.

‘This is Detective Inspector Kelsey,’ said Miss Bulstrode. ‘Pull yourself together, Elspeth, and tell him exactly what happened.’

‘It’s dreadful,’ said Miss Johnson, ‘it’s really dreadful. Such a thing has never happened before in all my experience. Never! I couldn’t have believed it, I really couldn’t’ve believed it. Miss Springer too!’

Inspector Kelsey was a perceptive man. He was always willing to deviate from the course of routine if a remark struck him as unusual or worth following up.

‘It seems to you, does it,’ he said, ‘very strange that it was Miss Springer who was murdered?’

‘Well yes, it does, Inspector. She was so—well, so tough, you know. So hearty. Like the sort of woman one could imagine taking on a burglar single-handed—or two burglars.’

‘Burglars? H’m,’ said Inspector Kelsey. ‘Was there anything to steal in the Sports Pavilion?’

‘Well, no, really I can’t see what there can have been. Swim suits of course, sports paraphernalia.’

‘The sort of thing a sneak-thief might have taken,’ agreed Kelsey. ‘Hardly worth breaking in for, I should have thought. Was it broken into, by the way?’

‘Well, really, I never thought to look,’ said Miss Johnson. ‘I mean, the door was open when we got there and—’

‘It had not been broken into,’ said Miss Bulstrode.

‘I see,’ said Kelsey. ‘A key was used.’ He looked at Miss Johnson. ‘Was Miss Springer well liked?’ he asked.

‘Well, really, I couldn’t say. I mean, after all, she’s dead.’

‘So, you didn’t like her,’ said Kelsey perceptively, ignoring Miss Johnson’s finer feelings.

‘I don’t think anyone could have liked her very much,’ said Miss Johnson. ‘She had a very positive manner, you know. Never minded contradicting people flatly. She was very efficient and took her work very seriously I should say, wouldn’t you, Miss Bulstrode?’

‘Certainly,’ said Miss Bulstrode.

Kelsey returned from the by-path he had been pursuing. ‘Now, Miss Johnson, let’s hear just what happened.’