‘The three psychical researchers packed up. Doubtless they too were badly affected by the tragedy. In addition, however, they took exception to the attempt to make them appear as fools. They left, having advised Sir Henry to get rid of the house. One of them went so far as to say he should burn it.

‘Well, the First World War broke out the following month. Both Tarrant and Alexander Fraser were killed in it, the former at the First Battle of the Somme, the latter at Jutland. It is ironic to realize that if Bernard Gray had not taken part in that practical joke he would probably also have been killed in action. When one thinks of that terrible vegetative existence in which he survived his contemporaries, one feels it would have been better if he had fallen in that war.

‘During the twenties and thirties there were three or four changes of ownership with the house lying empty for long periods of time. The Second World War found it handed over to the army. They used it as part of their network for training com­mandos.

‘Strangely enough the army closed it in early forty-three. I never found out why. It had two spells of occupation after the war, once as a private house and once as a hotel of the quiet, secluded fisherman’s retreat type. Needless to say, the hotel failed. Very few guests stayed twice. It was impossible to keep staff. It was sold again. The new owners meant to renovate it and live in it. Somehow they never got round to it and it has lain empty for the past fifteen years.’

He looked at his audience.

‘And that, in a highly condensed form, is the story of Ardvreck House.’

6

6 Playback

‘Quite a story,’ said Pollard. Paul thought the other man did not know whether to believe it or not. His own reaction was a confused mixture of acceptance and rejection. Meredith’s manner was convincing but much of what he had related was so extraordinary it was impossible to take.

‘What the property agents call a house with character,’ he said. ‘But I don’t understand your interest, Mr Meredith. You’re not the owner, are you?’

‘No. I’m not the owner. Nor is Captain Pollard. You might say that Captain Pollard and Sergeant Smith are here to see how best they can take Ardvreck House off the owner’s hands.’

Pollard grinned.