“It would make a great movie, don’t you think, Mr Hitchcock?” asked Pete. “I mean, flaming footprints and a family ghost and an innocent daughter who doesn’t know what the score is, and stolen jewels!”
“It has some points to recommend it,” said Mr Hitchcock. “There are still one or two things you have not explained in your report, however. The sound of water running in the pipes in The Potter’s house when all the taps were off.”
“That was The Potter using the outside tap,” said Jupiter. “He could not hide out in that old garage without water, and since the Lapathians never left Hilltop House, he couldn’t get water there. He had to come to his own house at night. He did not want to reveal himself to Mrs Dobson, however, because he felt that the less she knew, the better off she would be. The Lapathians could not see him at the tap, even in the moonlight, because of the thick hedge of oleanders behind the house. It was for that reason that they could not see Farrier, who entered and left by the back door.”
“How did Farrier get into the house to get the keys?” asked Mr Hitchcock.
“That was ironical,” said Jupiter Jones. “The Potter was apparently so preoccupied with preparations or the Dobsons that for once he neglected to lock up tight. Mr Farrier claimed he had no trouble getting in the front door–only had to pick one lock. He told Chief Reynolds he was just curious about the house, and that later, when Mrs Dobson snubbed him, he grew angry and tried to frighten her with the flaming footprints.”
“And the police chief of Rocky Beach believed him?” said Mr Hitchcock, with some astonishment.
“Not at all, but no one has come up with a better story, so he has to take what he can get.”
“One other detail,” said Mr Hitchcock. “You were fired upon when you came down from Hilltop House. Was that Farrier?”
“No,” said Bob. “The Potter again. He apologized. He wanted to scare us off, since he felt the men at Hilltop House were dangerous. He had had that shotgun stored in the shack where he kept supplies, so he had no trouble getting his hands on it when he wanted it.”
“What do you think?” insisted Pete. “Wouldn’t it make a great movie?”
Mr Hitchcock sniffed. “No love interest.”
“Oh!” Pete subsided.
“However,” said Mr Hitchcock, “Alexis Kerenov, the Duke of Malenbad, has been reunited with his daughter, so at least we do have a happy ending.”
“She’s a great cook,” said Jupiter. “The Potter’s putting on weight. And he went into Los Angeles and bought a suit of clothes and some shoes. He’s going back to Belleview with Mrs Dobson in the autumn to meet his son-in-law, and he doesn’t want his daughter’s friends to think he’s . . .”
“A nut,” put in Pete.
“Eccentric,” said Jupe. He paused. “Which he certainly is.”