Miss Rowan retorted acidly that the police were well known to be prejudiced against psychology.

She then gave place to Ann Shapland.

‘Well, Miss Shapland,’ said Inspector Kelsey, eyeing her neat and businesslike appearance with favour, ‘what light can you throw upon this matter?’

‘Absolutely none, I’m afraid. I’ve got my own sitting-room, and I don’t see much of the staff. The whole thing’s unbelievable.’

‘In what way unbelievable?’

‘Well, first that Miss Springer should get shot at all. Say somebody broke into the gymnasium and she went out to see who it was. That’s all right, I suppose, but who’d want to break into the gymnasium?’

‘Boys, perhaps, some young locals who wanted to help themselves to equipment of some kind or another, or who did it for a lark.’

‘If that’s so, I can’t help feeling that what Miss Springer would have said was: “Now then, what are you doing here? Be off with you,” and they’d have gone off.’

‘Did it ever seem to you that Miss Springer adopted any particular attitude about the Sports Pavilion?’

Ann Shapland looked puzzled. ‘Attitude?’

‘I mean did she regard it as her special province and dislike other people going there?’

‘Not that I know of. Why should she? It was just part of the school buildings.’

‘You didn’t notice anything yourself? You didn’t find that if you went there she resented your presence—anything of that kind?’

Ann Shapland shook her head. ‘I haven’t been out there myself more than a couple of times. I haven’t the time. I’ve gone out there once or twice with a message for one of the girls from Miss Bulstrode. That’s all.’

‘You didn’t know that Miss Springer had objected to Mademoiselle Blanche being out there?’

‘No, I didn’t hear anything about that. Oh yes, I believe I did. Mademoiselle Blanche was rather cross about something one day, but then she is a little bit touchy, you know. There was something about her going into the drawing class one day and resenting something the drawing mistress said to her. Of course she hasn’t really very much to do—Mademoiselle Blanche, I mean. She only teaches one subject—French, and she has a lot of time on her hands. I think—’ she hesitated, ‘I think she is perhaps rather an inquisitive person.’

‘Do you think it likely that when she went into the Sports Pavilion she was poking about in any of the lockers?’

‘The girls’ lockers? Well, I wouldn’t put it past her. She might amuse herself that way.’

‘Does Miss Springer herself have a locker out there?’

‘Yes, of course.’

‘If Mademoiselle Blanche was caught poking about in Miss Springer’s locker, then I can imagine that Miss Springer would be annoyed?’

‘She certainly would!’

‘You don’t know anything about Miss Springer’s private life?’

‘I don’t think anyone did,’ said Ann. ‘Did she have one, I wonder?’

‘And there’s nothing else—nothing connected with the Sports Pavilion, for instance, that you haven’t told me?’

‘Well—’ Ann hesitated.

‘Yes, Miss Shapland, let’s have it.’