Well, perhaps I am, but other people feel it comtoo.
Akibombo does. He’s scared. I believe Black Bess does, too, but she wouldn’t let on. And I think, Inspector, that Celia knew something about it.” “Knew something about what?” “That’s just it. What? But there were things she said.
Said that last day. About clearing everything up. She had owned up to her part in what was going on, but she sort of hinted that there were other thin,eaeaness she knew about and she wanted to get them cleared up too. I think she knew something, Inspector, about someone.
That’s the reason I think she was killed.” “But if it was something as serious as that . . .
Sally interrupted him.
“I’d say that she had no idea how serious it was. She wasn’t bright, you know. She was pretty dumb. She got hold of something but she’d no idea that the something she’d got hold of was dangerous.
Anyway, that’s my hunch for what it’s worth.” “I see. Thank you. . . . Now the last time you saw Celia Austin was in the Common Room after dinner last night, is that right?” “That’s right. At least, actually, I saw her after that.” “You saw her after that? Where? In her room?” “No. When I went up to bed she was going out of the front door just as I came out of the Common Room.” “Going out of the front door? Out of the house, do you mean?” “Yes.” “That’s rather surprising. Nobody else has suggested that.” “I daresay they didn’t know. She certainly said good night and that she was going up to bed, and if I hadn’t seen her I would have assumed that she had gone up to bed.” “Whereas, actually, she went upstairs, put on some outdoor thin s and then left the house. is that right?” Sally nodded.
“And I think she was going outto meet someone.” “I see. Someone from outside. Or could it have been one of the students?” “Well it’s my hunch that it would be one of the students. You see, if she wanted to speak to somebody privately, there was nowhere very well she could do it in the house. Someone might have suggested that she come out and meet them somewhere outside.” “Have you any idea when she got in again?” “No idea whatever.” “Would Geronimo know, the man servant?” “He’d know if she came in after eleven o’clock because that’s the time he bolts and chains the door. Up to that time anyone can get in with their own key.” “Do you know exactly what time it was when you saw her going out of the house?” “I’d say it was about-ten. Perhaps a little past ten, but not much.” “I see. Thank you, Miss Finch, for what you’ve told me.” Last of all the Inspector talked to Elizabeth Johnston. He was at once impressed with the quiet capability of the girl. She answered his questions with intelligent decision and then waited for him to proceed.
“Celia Austin,” he said, “pretested vehemently that it was not she who damaged your papers, Miss Johnston. Do you believe her?” “I do not think Celia did that. No.” “You don’t know who did?” “The obvious answer is Nigel Chapman. But it seems to me a little too obvious. Nigel is intelligent. He would not use his own ink.” “And if not Nigel, who then?” “That is more difficult. But I think Celia knew who it was-or at least guessed.” “Did she tell you so?” “Not in so many words, but she came to my room on the evening of the day she died, before going down to dinner.
She came to tell me that though she was responsible for the thefts she had not sabota ed my work. I told her that I accepted that assurance. I asked her if she knew who had done so?” “And what did she say?” “She said,” Elizabeth paused a moment, as though to be sure of the accuracy of what she was about to say, “She said, “I can’t really be sure, because I don’t see why……. It might have been a mistake or an accident……. I’m sure whoever did it is very unhappy about it, and would really like to own up.” Celia went on, “There are some things I don’t understand, like the electric lighl bulbs the day the police came.” Sharpe interrupted.