‘Thank you Doctor Gladwyn. I would now like to hear from Inspector Ravenscourt.’
Ravenscroft made his way over to the witness stand and took the oath.
‘Now Inspector Ravenscourt — ‘
‘Ravenscroft, your honour.’
‘Ah, Ravenscroft, yes of course, would you care to give your evidence sir?’
Ravenscroft coughed and cleared his throat. ‘My name is Samuel Ravenscroft. I hold the rank of police Inspector in the Whitechapel Division of the London Constabulary.’
‘Forgive me,’ interrupted the coroner leaning forwards, ‘If you are an inspector with the er — ’
‘Whitechapel Division,’ helped Ravenscroft.
‘Quite. If you are an inspector with the Whitechapel Division, perhaps you would care to explain why you are investigating this case? I would have thought that London was too far removed from Malvern to warrant such interest, or perhaps Mister Pitzer had business interests in Whitechapel?’
‘I believe not sir. I met Mr. Pitzer a few days ago on the London train. We conversed together, the result of which he kindly invited me to dine with him on the night in question. That was how I came to be present at the murder scene. Since then I have been engaged by the local Malvern constabulary to carry out further investigations into Mr. Pitzer’s death.’
‘Very well — I understand. Please proceed with your evidence, if you will,’ said the coroner leaning back in his chair and looking over his spectacles at Ravenscroft.
‘I arrived at the deceased’s house at seven thirty and was shown into the drawing room where I met with Mrs. Pitzer, the Reverend Touchmore and Doctor Sommersby. We conversed for a few minutes, and then Mrs. Pitzer instructed the maid to call for her husband, who was in the study at this time. When the maid returned, she informed us that Mr. Pitzer was in fact dead. We all then entered the study. Mr. Sommersby was the first to examine the deceased, and declared, in his opinion, that the deceased had died from natural causes, such as a seizure, or heart failure. When Doctor Gladwyn arrived he also gave cause of death due to a seizure. I had cause to think otherwise sir.’ (exclamations of surprise from various sections of the room).
‘Quiet from those attending this inquest!’ interrupted the coroner, ‘Please continue with your evidence inspector.’
‘Thank you, your honour. The deceased had been drinking form a glass that had been replaced on the decanter tray. When I examined this glass I found a residue of a powdery substance which was later confirmed as being poison.’ (more exclamations from the room).
‘Quiet! Quiet!’ said the coroner banging the table with a small wooden hammer. ‘I will not hesitate to clear this courtroom if we have any more interruptions. Please continue.’
‘I also noticed that the window to the study was open, and when I stepped into the garden, I discovered evidence of a recent footprint on the ground beneath the window. When I later questioned the maid she stated that she had heard the sound of something like a glass falling onto the floor at around six thirty in the evening. When I examined the carpet I found that part of the carpet was damp where the glass had fallen. I also discovered that Mr. Pitzer had received a letter that afternoon which necessitated his being closeted in his study. It is my contention that someone entered the study at six thirty that evening, and administered poison to Mister Pitzer’s glass.’
‘Can you tell me inspector whether you have recovered this letter, the one that you have just mentioned?’
‘No sir. I believe the murderer took the letter away with him.’
‘I see. That is most unfortunate. I understand there have been some developments in this case, since then, inspector.’
‘Yes sir. Doctor Sommersby of Malvern College has also been killed.’ (gasps from many parts of the room.)
‘The court has been lead to believe that Doctor Sommersby met his death from a fallen bookcase?’ asked the coroner staring at Ravenscroft.
‘We believe that Doctor Sommersby was killed before the bookcase fell on him.’ (further loud gasps from the audience.)
‘Quiet! I see inspector. Are we to assume therefore that investigations concerning the deaths of these two men are still continuing?’
‘Your assumption is correct sir.’
‘And can we expect a swift conclusion to these investigations inspector?’ asked the coroner leaning forwards again.
‘We are endeavouring to do all that we can to expedite matters your honour, and are hopeful of an arrest,’ replied Ravenscroft, trying to sound as convincing as possible.
‘The court thanks you for your evidence inspector. You may step down. I would now like to call upon the Reverend Touchmore to give evidence.’
Ravenscroft resumed his seat as Touchmore came forward to take his place, and let out a sigh of relief. Although he had given evidence many times before in numerous courts of justice during his career, he had never particularly enjoyed the experience, always fearing that he would fall foul to some overzealous barrister, or be reprimanded for his lack of enterprise by some supercilious judge, and be made to look a laughing stock by the many people who were hanging on his every word.
He looked out of the window of the Assembly Rooms at the trees and flower beds that had been recently planted in the grounds, and his mind began to dwell on the events of the previous three days. He had little realised when he had arrived in Malvern that he would have been called upon to solve not one, but two murders, of its prominent citizens. During his investigations he had uncovered a number of possible areas that warranted further enquiry, but although he and Crabb had visited a number of potential suspects, Ravenscroft had to admit to himself that he was still far away from resolving the matter. Why had Pitzer and Sommersby been killed? To what purpose, and who had committed the crimes? There had to be something which linked the two victims together, a common factor which they shared, and yet the more and more he thought about this, the more and more he found himself returning yet again to the old almshouses. Was it Armitage who had killed the two men because they had uncovered his payments to Troutbridge from the accounts? Why was Armitage paying Troutbridge every month, — and where was Armitage now? Was Troutbridge sheltering Armitage? Had the face at the window of Troutbridge’s farm been that of Armitage — or had it in fact been someone else? Perhaps Troutbridge was perfectly innocent, and Armitage had merely inserted his name in the accounts whilst pocketing the money for his own use? The possibilities seemed endless; one question lead on to another, and the more he thought about it so the maze seemed to deepen. Then there was the cottage in Ledbury with its occupier, Lucy Armitage appearing to know nothing of either her brother’s involvement with Troutbridge, or his whereabouts. He had not wished to consider anything against the lady, but had been forced to concede that she had not exactly been forthcoming with her answers.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, the court has heard evidence from a number of witnesses concerning the demise of Mr. Jabez Pitzer,’ said the coroner announcing his summing up. ‘It is our opinion that Mr. Pitzer was murdered by a person or persons unknown, and accordingly we enter such a verdict. The court stands adjourned until the police have completed their enquiries.’
The coroner banged his hammer down sharply on the table before him, gathered his papers together, stood up, and left the room, leaving an excited and animated gathering behind him busily discussing the events of the afternoon.
‘I’ll go by the door and get as many names as I can sir,’ said Crabb rising from his seat quickly. Ravenscroft remained seated, studying the various groups of people as they began to leave.
‘Mr. Ravenscroft. I thank you for all your efforts in this case,’ said Mrs Pitzer addressing him as she attempted to make her way out of the room.
‘I am only sorry that your husband was killed. Rest assured ma’am that Constable Crabb and I are quite determined to bring to justice whoever perpetrated this deed, and that we will not rest until we have done so,’ said Ravenscroft rising from his seat.