“Could you tell me what you did last night?”

“I had supper with the others. Charles Todd told us that he intended to sell the island.”

“How did you feel about that?”

“I was shocked and upset. The island means a lot to me.”

“And after supper?”

“I went into the garden for some air, then went up to my bedroom to change into more comfortable footwear. I had been wearing heavy shoes all evening. I have severe arthritis, and I had some difficulty in undoing the laces. I saw the boys going out with the nets, just as I had finished. I was disappointed. I would have enjoyed going with them, but it would have taken too long to change again. I lay on my bed to rest. As I have explained, I was shocked that Charles could consider selling the island, and I wanted to think about it. He said that he would be prepared to sell the observatory to the trust at a realistic price, and I wanted to think out the implications of that. I decided that it would not be feasible. Some time later I went into the common room, and talked to Paul Derbyshire who had come to the same conclusion. Elizabeth usually serves hot chocolate and biscuits at ten o’clock, but it was not a usual evening. The boys had come back from ringing, and went to make the drink themselves. We were pouring it out when John and Elizabeth came in and told us about the fire at Charles’s house.”

“Could you describe your movements this morning? First of all, did you know that Charles Todd intended to meet Mr. Packham in the seawatching hide?”

“We all knew,” she said. “Except John, perhaps. He had left the supper table before it was decided. I thought,” she added, “that it was a rather rude and childish gesture to walk out. Not at all like him.”

“This morning you went out for a walk before breakfast?”

“I always take a walk before breakfast when I am on the island.”

“How long were you out for?”

“Only for fifteen minutes. It was rather windy.”

“Did you see anyone?”

“I met Elizabeth as I was coming in. She too had been for a walk.”

“Did you take the seawatching-hide key from the bird room this morning?”

“No.”

“When did you last use one of the mist nets here? Do you know anything about the guy which was used to strangle Mr. Todd?”

“I come to the island regularly, Superintendent Savage, at least once a week. When I am here I help with the work of the observatory. We catch most birds in the heligoland traps, but we use mist nets fairly frequently. Unfortunately my arthritis prevents me from actually ringing the birds or removing them from the nets, but I help in any way I can. I can assure you that any nets used in my presence are properly put away. My nets do not have missing guys.” She was angry.