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By Root 525 0

I think, to resume our tour. The programme will be slightly altered, since we have lost three days, but I think it can be re-organized on rather simpler lines. I have heard from one or two members of our party that they would prefer to return to London, presumably by rail. I can quite understand the feelings lying behind this, and would not like to try and influence you in any way. This death has been a very sad occurrence. I still cannot help but believe that Miss Temple’s death was the result of an accident. Such a thing has happened before on that particular pathway, though there do not appear in this case to have been any geological or atmospherical conditions causing it. I think a good deal more investigation will have to be made. Of course, some hiker on a walking tour — that kind of thing — may have been pushing about boulders quite innocently, not realizing that there was a danger for someone walking below in what he or she was doing. If so, if that person comes forward, the whole thing may be cleared up quite quickly, but I agree one cannot take that for granted at present. It seems unlikely that the late Miss Temple could have had an enemy, or anyone who wished her harm of any kind. What I should suggest is, that we do not discuss the accident any further. Investigations will be made by the local authorities whose business it is. I think we will probably all like to attend the memorial service in the church tomorrow. And after that, on continuing the tour, I hope that it may distract our minds from the shock we have had. There are still some very interesting and famous houses to see and some very beautiful scenery also.’

Luncheon being announced shortly after that, the subject was not discussed any further. That is to say, not openly. After lunch, as they took coffee in the lounge, people were prone to get together in little groups, discussing their further arrangements.

‘Are you continuing on the tour?’ asked Professor Wanstead of Miss Marple.

‘No,’ said Miss Marple. She spoke thoughtfully. ‘No. I think — I think that what has happened inclines me to remain here a little longer.’

‘At the Golden Boar or at The Old Manor House?’

‘That rather depends as to whether I receive any further invitation to go back to The Old Manor House. I would not like to suggest it myself because my original invitation was for the two nights that the tour was to have stayed here originally. I think possibly it would be better for me to remain at the Golden Boar.’

‘You don’t feel like returning to St Mary Mead?’

‘Not yet,’ said Miss Marple. ‘There are one or two things I could do here, I think. One thing I have done already.’ She met his enquiring gaze. ‘If you are going on,’ she said, ‘with the rest of the party, I will tell you what I have put in hand, and suggest a small side-line of enquiry that might be helpful. The other reason that I wish to stay here I will tell you later. There are certain enquiries — local enquiries — that I want to make. They may not lead anywhere so I think it as well not to mention them now. And you?’

‘I should like to return to London. I have work there waiting to be done. Unless, that is, I can be helpful to you here?’

‘No,’ said Miss Marple, ‘I do not think so at present. I expect you have various enquiries of your own that you wish to put in hand.’

‘I came on the tour to meet you, Miss Marple.’

‘And now you have met me and know what I know, or practically all that I know, you have other enquiries to put in hand. I understand that. But before you leave here, I think there are one or two things — well, that might be helpful, might give a result.’

‘I see. You have ideas.’

‘I am remembering what you said.’

‘You have perhaps pinned down the smell of evil?’

‘It is difficult,’ said Miss Marple, ‘to know exactly what something wrong in the atmosphere really means.’

‘But you do feel that there is something wrong in the atmosphere?’

‘Oh yes. Very clearly.’

‘And especially since Miss Temple’s death which, of course, was not an accident, no matter what Mrs Sandbourne hopes.’

‘No,’ said Miss Marple,