‘No, I haven’t. Tiny Fullalove is bringing a case in his own interest to show that the certificate is a forgery.’

‘And is it?’

‘I’ve no idea. I should scarcely think so.’

‘Well, then …’

‘But I don’t think the woman is a widow.’

‘If she isn’t, then the certificate must be a forgery.’

‘Not necessarily. It could be somebody else’s certificate, that is all.’

‘But how the devil could she get hold of such a thing?’

‘Well, she might even have inherited it, you know.’ The Chief Constable shook his head.

‘Don’t be aggravating,’ he said. ‘You think that this woman inherited somebody else’s – in other words, the real Mrs Fullalove’s – marriage lines? I say that that’s preposterous!’

‘Not under certain circumstances. I myself have a copy of the marriage certificate of my parents.’

‘Yes, but you’re not suggesting a relationship between the real Mrs Fullalove and this woman, are you?’

‘Not a relationship exactly, no.’

‘Well, if this woman isn’t the real Mrs Fullalove she’s going to have a pretty thin time when the trustees and their solicitors, and Tiny Fullalove and his, dig up their witnesses.’

‘Yes, of course – if the witnesses are still alive.’

‘You don’t mean … Mrs Dalby Whittier and Bill Fullalove?’

‘I don’t think they were the witnesses.’

‘What do you mean, then?’

‘I think they were the married couple. Now that we know a little more, everything, in my opinion, points to it.’

‘Then what about young Emming? Is he Bill Fullalove’s son? I don’t believe it!’

‘No, he is either his stepson or Tiny’s son. Of that I am also convinced. His story, as he told it some weeks ago, is partly true.’

‘You can’t stop there, woman. I begin to see what you’re getting at, but for goodness’ sake tell me more!’

‘All in good time,’ said Mrs Bradley. ‘Then there is this question of Will North. To the murderers Will North is dangerous. He saw the unaccountable heap of snow on the badger-watching platform.’

‘Why the devil didn’t he investigate?’

‘He was on his way to the bungalow and to help with—’

‘Oh, of course, yes. But, still—’

‘Therefore Worry was decoyed so that Will would follow. Will did follow, and would have found his dog, and would probably have been murdered in that cottage, but for the mistake that one of the murderers made.’

‘Emming?’

‘Emming. He affected to pop at Ed Brown, but I fancy Will North was the target.’

‘I’m off to talk to Ed Brown,’ said the Chief Constable decidedly. ‘You’d better come along, and bring Jonathan.’

‘Mr Emming?’ said Ed, looking at his questioner with sly amusement. ‘Oh, him and me, us get on pretty well together mostly. Fond of birds, he is, and wanting to know their names and where to look for the nests.’

‘Is he to be trusted with nests?’