Livingston let out a soundless whistle. “Was she?” “No. She was a highly emotional, even hysterical girl. Fortunately for us, she had made the same accusations about a teacher at a previous school. It wasn’t hard to get the truth from her. Her relationship with Philip had been confined to some bike riding and picnics. Even so, it could have been a scandal, even a disaster, for the school, if she had persisted in her accusations. I came within an inch of sacking Philip, but he pleaded for his job. You must realize this position suits him exactly. He’s teaching a subject he loves, he has acres and acres of property to garden and he’s obviously Lady Exner’s heir.”

“I would suppose he is,” Livingston agreed.

“I warned him most strongly that if even a hint of involvement with a student occurred again, he was out, and with a highly prejudicial reference.”

“I see. You’re quite sure that was eleven years ago.”

“Very sure. I remember exactly because it was the year before the Popolous girl disappeared. At the time of all the unfortunate publicity about the ’Greek girl who never returned to class,’ I kept thinking how it would have been the end of Saint Polycarp’s if one year before a student had become pregnant by a teacher or even persisted in her claim that she was. As it is, I’ve been called several times this week by local papers asking for my comments on the discovery of Athena Popolous’s body.” The headmaster turned penetrating eyes on Livingston. “I realize you can’t disclose why you’ve asked about Philip, but I hope you understand that I’m responsible for five hundred students. Perhaps you should consider whether it is my responsibility to know what is going on.”

Livingston did not hesitate. There was no question Headmaster Crane had residual anger, even contempt, for Philip for the scandal he could have caused St. Polycarp’s. Without proof it was unfair even to suggest that he might have had any kind of relationship with Athena Popolous. “For the moment we are simply doing routine questioning.”

The headmaster’s sardonic expression told Livingston that routine questioning was a feeble cover for a purposeful investigation. For the second time that afternoon, Livingston left a meeting with the distinct impression that his absence was more honored than his presence.

At headquarters Livingston was informed that there were further developments in the Popolous case. The pockets of Athena’s jacket had been lined with plastic. One of them had a hole on the inside. The forensic staff had found a matchbook from the Bull and Bear that had fallen through the hole, jammed deep into the lining of her coat. It had been well preserved. Scrawled inside the matchbook were two letters—B.A.—and three numbers—315.