murdered that poor man and dumped him inside Sir Roger’s tomb when they were unexpectedly disturbed by Constable Reynolds. I think it is time, Tom, that we got the truth out of allthese people. They are taking us for fools and simpletons – and I for one am rather tired of all their lies and deceit!’
CHAPTER THREE
TEWKESBURY
‘Miss Eames, gentlemen, I thank you for your forbearance in this matter.’
It was later that afternoon, and Ravenscroft was standing with his back towards the open fire, facing his five suspects in the snug of the Hop Pole Hotel.
‘Most inconsiderate, I say,’ muttered Ganniford, glancing at his watch before irritably thrusting the timepiece back into the pocket of his red waistcoat.
‘I appreciate that you are all anxious to leave the town at the earliest opportunity and proceed with your respective itineraries—’
‘Should have left hours ago. Regimental business to be transacted,’ interrupted Major Anstruther grooming his moustache with his fingers.
‘—but I have to remind you all that we are dealing with a very serious occurrence,’ continued Ravenscroft, wondering whether this latest attempt to discover the truth from the members of hisaudience would be any more successful than his previous questioning. ‘Murder is a crime that cannot be taken lightly.’
‘I think we have all told you, Herr Inspector, that this crime has nothing to do with any of us. It was just unfortunate that we came across the open sarcophagus, when we were visiting the abbey,’ smiled Hollinger.
‘As you say, Doctor, it was just unfortunate that it was you and your companions who discovered the open tomb and not anyone else. You have all stated that none of you had ever met the deceased gentleman before yesterday evening – but I clearly believe that is not the case.’
‘Damn it, sir, are you calling us liars!’ growled Anstruther. ‘Such accusations are unfounded, sir, and cannot go uncontested.’
‘I think, Major, that we should allow the inspector to proceed,’ offered Miss Eames, seeking to placate her companion.
‘Well spoken, my good lady. The sooner we allow the inspector to continue with his investigations, the quicker we may all be permitted to leave,’ suggested Jenkins, polishing the lens of his spectacles.
‘Thank you, sir. As I said, I believe that the deceased gentleman was known to each and every one of you. In fact, it is highly likely that he was the reason for you all visiting the town in the first place.’
‘Ridiculous, man! Never seen the fellow before!’ protested Ganniford wriggling uneasily in his chair.
‘That is what you all say, but I would ask you all to consider this case from my point of view. I am called to the abbey to investigate the appearance of a recently deceased gentleman in an open tomb; then I learn from my constable that he found all five of you gathered round the sarcophagus at twelve o’clock yesterday evening. You would all agree that this raises certainsuspicions. Two questions immediately come to mind – firstly, I ask myself, why were these people visiting the abbey at such a late hour—’
‘Told you that man—’ interrupted Ganniford.
‘Ah yes, you had declared that you had all met for the first time over dinner, and somehow the conversation turned to the abbey, and someone suggested it would be a good idea to go and view the monuments at such a late hour,’ continued Ravenscroft, as Crabb took out his pocket-book and licked the end of his pencil.
‘That is what happened, Inspector, what is so strange about that?’ pronounced Hollinger, with a shrug of his shoulders.
‘Quite – but when I questioned each of you earlier today, none of you could agree as to who it was who first suggested the idea. In fact, Dr Hollinger’s account of the dinner conversation would seem to differ from that given by everyone else.’
‘We cannot remember everything that was said at the dinner table,’ emphasized Ganniford.
‘Then
CHAPTER THREE
TEWKESBURY
‘Miss Eames, gentlemen, I thank you for your forbearance in this matter.’
It was later that afternoon, and Ravenscroft was standing with his back towards the open fire, facing his five suspects in the snug of the Hop Pole Hotel.
‘Most inconsiderate, I say,’ muttered Ganniford, glancing at his watch before irritably thrusting the timepiece back into the pocket of his red waistcoat.
‘I appreciate that you are all anxious to leave the town at the earliest opportunity and proceed with your respective itineraries—’
‘Should have left hours ago. Regimental business to be transacted,’ interrupted Major Anstruther grooming his moustache with his fingers.
‘—but I have to remind you all that we are dealing with a very serious occurrence,’ continued Ravenscroft, wondering whether this latest attempt to discover the truth from the members of hisaudience would be any more successful than his previous questioning. ‘Murder is a crime that cannot be taken lightly.’
‘I think we have all told you, Herr Inspector, that this crime has nothing to do with any of us. It was just unfortunate that we came across the open sarcophagus, when we were visiting the abbey,’ smiled Hollinger.
‘As you say, Doctor, it was just unfortunate that it was you and your companions who discovered the open tomb and not anyone else. You have all stated that none of you had ever met the deceased gentleman before yesterday evening – but I clearly believe that is not the case.’
‘Damn it, sir, are you calling us liars!’ growled Anstruther. ‘Such accusations are unfounded, sir, and cannot go uncontested.’
‘I think, Major, that we should allow the inspector to proceed,’ offered Miss Eames, seeking to placate her companion.
‘Well spoken, my good lady. The sooner we allow the inspector to continue with his investigations, the quicker we may all be permitted to leave,’ suggested Jenkins, polishing the lens of his spectacles.
‘Thank you, sir. As I said, I believe that the deceased gentleman was known to each and every one of you. In fact, it is highly likely that he was the reason for you all visiting the town in the first place.’
‘Ridiculous, man! Never seen the fellow before!’ protested Ganniford wriggling uneasily in his chair.
‘That is what you all say, but I would ask you all to consider this case from my point of view. I am called to the abbey to investigate the appearance of a recently deceased gentleman in an open tomb; then I learn from my constable that he found all five of you gathered round the sarcophagus at twelve o’clock yesterday evening. You would all agree that this raises certainsuspicions. Two questions immediately come to mind – firstly, I ask myself, why were these people visiting the abbey at such a late hour—’
‘Told you that man—’ interrupted Ganniford.
‘Ah yes, you had declared that you had all met for the first time over dinner, and somehow the conversation turned to the abbey, and someone suggested it would be a good idea to go and view the monuments at such a late hour,’ continued Ravenscroft, as Crabb took out his pocket-book and licked the end of his pencil.
‘That is what happened, Inspector, what is so strange about that?’ pronounced Hollinger, with a shrug of his shoulders.
‘Quite – but when I questioned each of you earlier today, none of you could agree as to who it was who first suggested the idea. In fact, Dr Hollinger’s account of the dinner conversation would seem to differ from that given by everyone else.’
‘We cannot remember everything that was said at the dinner table,’ emphasized Ganniford.
‘Then
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