“Fortunately, I don’t think there were any girls around to see what we were doing,” said Lindsay.

“Don’t you believe it. In a rumor factory like Derbyshire House you only need one person for a story to be all over the school in a matter of hours,” Paddy replied.

“We’re still not sure who did it, however,” sighed Cordelia. “The more information we get, the harder it seems to be to prove anything.”

“Which reminds me,” said Lindsay, “do you happen to know anything about James Cartwright’s financial position, Paddy?”

Paddy’s eyebrows shot up. “Not a lot,” she replied. “The word is, he’s not as flush as he used to be. Not getting the squash court contract was a bad blow. And he hasn’t changed his car this year. I have heard this playing fields development is make or break for him, but I do find that hard to believe.”

After a moment’s thought, she went on. “Speaking of the Cartwrights, I’ve been thinking about what you were asking me the other day. About Sarah’s statement. I think she’s got it wrong, you know. In fact, it was the other way round. When I took her to Music 2, I stopped at the storeroom to have a quick word with a couple of juniors who shouldn’t have been there at the time, and Sarah went on ahead. As I entered the room, Sarah was standing by the cupboards, looking through some sheet music. Which is slightly odd because the girl has no interest in music except as an accompaniment to gymnastics. I told her to be sure she put it back in the right place because the room had been tidied up for Lorna. I don’t think one can read anything into all that but, just for the record, that’s what happened.”

“I see,” said Lindsay thoughtfully. “I think we’re going to have to have another little chat with Miss Cartwright. I don’t like people lying to me. Not when it’s a question of murder. It makes me start asking myself what they’re trying to hide.”

“Don’t be heavy, Lindsay,” Paddy warned. “She’s not a very happy kid and I feel responsible for her.”

“She’ll have to be spoken to, Paddy. There are more important things at stake here than Sarah Cartwright’s finer feelings.”

“I know that, but take it gently. You’ll get a pretty hostile reaction if you bully her.”

“You’ve got to be joking,” Cordelia said scornfully. “The last time we saw her, the only monstering that was going on was her giving Lindsay a hard time. She’s the only person, apart from Pamela Overton, who has succeeded in squashing your favorite journalist.”