‘And was there something wrong?’

‘Oh yes. Her father, the old Admiral, had been very peculiar for some time, and the very next day he went for her with the coal hammer, roaring out that she was Antichrist masquerading as his daughter. He nearly killed her. They took him away to the asylum and she eventually recovered after months in hospital — but it was a very near thing.’

‘And you’d actually had a premonition that day in church?’

‘I wouldn’t call it a premonition. It was founded on fact — these things usually are, though one doesn’t always recognise it at the time. She was wearing her Sunday hat the wrong way round. Very significant, really, because Grace Lamble was a most precise woman, not at all vague or absent-minded — and the circumstances under which she would not notice which way her hat was put on to go to church were really extremely limited. Her father, you see, had thrown a marble paperweight at her and it had shattered the looking-glass. She had caught up her hat, put it on, and hurried out of the house. Anxious to keep up appearances and for the servants not to hear anything. She put down these actions, you see, to “dear Papa’s Naval temper,” she didn’t realise that his mind was definitely unhinged. Though she ought to have realised it clearly enough. He was always complaining to her of being spied upon and of enemies — all the usual symptoms, in fact.’

Mrs Van Rydock gazed respectfully at her friend.

‘Maybe, Jane,’ she said, ‘that St Mary Mead of yours isn’t quite the idyllic retreat that I’ve always imagined it.’

‘Human nature, dear, is very much the same everywhere. It is more difficult to observe it closely in a city, that is all.’

‘And you’ll go to Stonygates?’

‘I’ll go to Stonygates. A little unfair, perhaps, on my nephew Raymond. To let it be thought that he does not assist me, I mean. Still, the dear boy is in Mexico for six months. And by that time it should all be over.’

‘What should all be over?’

‘Carrie Louise’s invitation will hardly be for an indefinite stay. Three weeks, perhaps — a month. That should be ample.’

‘For you to find out what is wrong?’

‘For me to find out what is wrong.’

‘My, Jane,’ said Mrs Van Rydock, ‘you’ve got a lot of confidence in yourself, haven’t you?’

Miss Marple looked faintly reproachful.

‘You have confidence in me, Ruth. Or so you say…I can only assure you that I shall endeavour to justify your confidence.’

Chapter 2

I

Before catching her train back to St Mary Mead (Wednesday special cheap day return), Miss Marple, in a precise and businesslike fashion, collected certain data.

‘Carrie Louise and I have corresponded after a fashion, but it has largely been a matter of Christmas cards or calendars. It’s just the facts I should like, Ruth dear — and also some idea as to whom exactly I shall encounter in the household at Stonygates.’