Spider's Web

Speaking slowly and emphatically, he continued, "A phone call was put through to the police station at seven forty-nine, saying that a man had been murdered at Copplestone Court."

Miss Peake looked appalled at this. "Murdered?" she exclaimed. "Here? Ridiculous!"

"That's what everybody seems to think," the Inspector observed drily, with a significant look at Sir Rowland.

"Of course," Miss Peake went on, "I know there are all these maniacs about, attacking women – but you say a man was murdered – "

The Inspector cut her short. "You didn't hear another car this evening?" he asked brusquely.

"Only Mr. Hailsham-Brown's," she replied.

"Mr. Hailsham-Brown?" the Inspector queried with a rise of his eyebrows. "I thought he wasn't expected home till late."

His glance swung round to Clarissa, who hastened to explain. "My husband did come home, but he had to go out again almost immediately."

The Inspector assumed a deliberately patient expression. "Oh, is that so?" he commented in a tone of studied politeness. "Exactly when did he come home?"

"Let me see..." Clarissa began to stammer. "It must have been about..."

"It was about a quarter of an hour before I went off duty," Miss Peake interjected. "I work a lot of overtime, Inspector. I never stick to regulation hours," she explained. "Be keen on your job, that's what I say," she continued, thumping the table as she spoke. "Yes, it must have been about a quarter past seven when Mr. Hailsham-Brown got in."

"That would have been shortly after Mr. Costello left," the Inspector observed. He moved to the centre of the room, and his manner changed almost imperceptibly as he continued, "He and Mr. Hailsham-Brown probably passed each other."

"You mean," Miss Peake said thoughtfully, "that he may have come back again to see Mr. Hailsham-Brown."

"Oliver Costello definitely didn't come back to the house," Clarissa cut in sharply.

"But you can't be sure of that, Mrs. Hailsham-Brown," the gardener contradicted her. "He might have got in by that window without your knowing anything about it." She paused, and then exclaimed, "Golly! You don't think he murdered Mr. Hailsham-Brown, do you? I say, I am sorry."

"Of course he didn't murder Henry," Clarissa snapped irritably.

"Where did your husband go when he left here?" the Inspector asked her.

"I've no idea," Clarissa replied shortly.

"Doesn't he usually tell you where he's going?" the Inspector persisted.

"I never ask questions," Clarissa told him. "I think it must be so boring for a man if his wife is always asking questions."

Miss Peake gave a sudden squeal. "But how stupid of me," she shouted. "Of course, if that man's car is still here, then he must be the one who's been murdered." She roared with laughter.

Sir Rowland rose to his feet. "We've no reason to believe anyone has been murdered, Miss Peake," he admonished her with dignity. "In fact, the Inspector believes it was all some silly hoax."

Miss Peake was clearly not of the same opinion. "But the car," she insisted. "I do think that car still being here is very suspicious." She got up and approached the Inspector. "Have you looked about for the body, Inspector?" she asked him eagerly.

"The Inspector has already searched the house," Sir Rowland answered before the police officer had a chance to speak. He was rewarded by a sharp glance from the Inspector, whom Miss Peake was now tapping on the shoulder as she continued to air her views.

"I'm sure those Elgins have something to do with it – the butler and that wife of his who calls herself a cook," the gardener assured the Inspector confidently. "I've had my suspicions of them for quite some time. I saw a light in their bedroom window as I came along here just now. And that in itself is suspicious. It's their night out, and they usually don't return until well after eleven." She gripped the Inspector's arm. "Have you searched their quarters?" she asked him urgently.

The Inspector opened his mouth to speak, but she interrupted him with another tap on the shoulder. "Now listen," she began. "Suppose this Mr. Costello recognized Elgin as a man with a criminal record. Costello might have decided to come back and warn Mrs. Hailsham-Brown about the man, and Elgin assaulted him."

Looking immensely pleased with herself, she flashed a glance around the room, and continued. "Then, of course, Elgin would have to hide the body somewhere quickly, so that he could dispose of it later in the night. Now, where would he hide it, I wonder?" she asked rhetorically, warming to her thesis. With a gesture towards the French windows, she began, "Behind a curtain, or – "

She was cut short by Clarissa, who interrupted angrily. "Oh, really, Miss Peake," Clarissa exclaimed, "there isn't anybody hidden behind any of the curtains. And I'm sure Elgin would never murder anybody. It's quite ridiculous."