‘Where you pushed him off the cliff top,’ added Ravenscroft.
‘Oh don’t be so dramatic inspector! The man was a useless parasite anyway, a drain on society,’ replied Mountcourt with a sneer. ‘Then you fell ill and everyone thought that Penny had killed the three men. I knew I was safe — and that only Touchmore now stood between me and the tontine legacy. All I had to do then was to wait for you to leave, and dispose of Touchmore later in my own time. But then you changed your mind and decided to stay — damn you Ravenscroft! But then my luck changed again, with the arrests of Armitage and Troutbridge. Perhaps you would be stupid enough to think that they had committed the murders! But I suppose I should have known better. Then this morning when I heard that you had gone to the bank and were parading round with that stupid stick, I knew that it would be only a matter of time before you discovered the truth.’
‘You could not expect that you could hide for ever? Everyone is answerable to the law,’ said Ravenscroft.
‘The law, my dear inspector, what use is the law to us out here?’ laughed Mountcourt. ‘Why do you think I have confessed all this to you Ravenscroft? You must have realised by now that I cannot possibly let you arrest me,’ he said standing up ‘No, the townsfolk of Malvern will wake up tomorrow morning to learn of yet another tragic accident. How the poor unfortunate police inspector had fallen to his death from the Ivy Scar Rock. The poor man was under a great deal of pressure to bring the murderer to book, they will say, and they will surmise that perhaps you really committed suicide than face the terrible truth that you were really a pathetic failure.’
‘You seem to have it all worked out,’ answered Ravenscroft.
‘Then in a month or two’s time that idiot Touchmore will meet with a fatal accident. I haven’t quite decided how he will meet his end. Something religious I think. Maybe a loose step on the way up to the church tower, a piece of falling masonry — that would be poetic justice indeed. Then I will claim the tontine inheritance, and nothing will stand in my way!’ said Mountcourt becoming increasingly agitated, as he paced up and down.
‘You are quite mad, Lambert!’ said Ravenscroft.
‘Mad!’ snarled Mountcourt. ‘You dare to call me mad! What I have done requires sheer genius. It is such a shame you won’t be able to tell the world about your little adventure up here,’ he said pulling on the handle of the walking stick. ‘Quite a neat little addition I think you would agree. When my father had this stick made, he decided to have this fine blade fitted inside. I am so sorry Ravenscroft. You were such a worthy opponent, but you must know that after all that I have told you, that I cannot let you go,’ he said brandishing the blade and advancing towards him.
‘And you do not think, that I would have been so stupid as to have come up here alone,’ said Ravenscroft standing up and facing his opponent.
‘Oh my dear inspector, it really is quite futile for you to pretend. At this time of the evening the hills are quite deserted. You forget that I followed you up here from the well house up another path. There was no one behind either of us. There is no one that can come to you aid. It is all over with you Ravenscroft.’
Ravenscroft took out a whistle from his pocket and gave three short blasts.
‘You silly man,’ laughed Mountcourt. ‘No one will hear that down in the town. I’m sorry, but it really is the end for you!’
‘Put down that blade or I will fire!’ shouted the voice of Crabb.
Mountcourt paused, a look of anger enveloping his face.
‘I knew Mountcourt that you would not resist the temptation to follow me. At this moment my constable has a loaded revolver pointing at your back. I also have three other police officers emerging from the other side of the rock. I would advise you to lay down your blade as my constable instructs. It is all over now Lambert, you have nowhere to go,’ said Ravenscroft drawing himself up to his full height.
‘Damn you Ravenscroft!’ yelled Mountcourt, rushing towards Ravenscroft with a look of intense loathing. ‘Damn you!’
‘Crabb!’ shouted Ravenscroft.
The shot rang out.
Mountcourt staggered forwards, clutching his chest and dropping the blade at Ravenscroft’s feet.
‘Quickly, grab him men, before he goes over the edge,’ yelled Crabb.
But it was too late, for as he fell, Mountcourt’s feet slipped — and with one last cry, he disappeared from view over the side of the rock.
‘Are you alright sir?’ inquired Crabb as the men rushed forwards.
‘I’m fine, thank you Crabb. Quickly, grab Mountcourt!
Ravenscroft and the men rushed to the edge of the rock and peered down over the side. The falling body of Mountcourt could be seen dropping down the long slope of the hill, until a clump of trees in the distance appeared to halt its descent, finally hiding it from view.
‘I don’t think he will be bothering us again sir,’ said the ever optimistic Crabb.
‘I tell you one thing Crabb. You’re a damn fine shot! Thank God!’
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The following morning found Crabb and Ravenscroft standing on the crowded platform of Great Malvern station.
‘Well sir. I will be sorry to see you leave,’ said Crabb, looking a little downhearted.
‘Unfortunately, I have to report back for duty tomorrow Crabb.’
‘I guess you never did get to Brighton sir. There is always next year. Thought you might like to know, the men recovered Mountcourt’s body from the valley this morning.’
‘He managed to escape the gallows in the end. That leaves the Reverend Touchmore as the only surviving member of the tontine,’ said Ravenscroft. ‘I wonder what he will do with all his inheritance?’
‘Rumour has it that he will give some of it towards the restoration of the church.’
‘Then at least some good may come out of all this. No doubt another buyer will come forward to purchase the Tudor, and who knows, one day it may be restored to its former splendour. Well it is time I boarded the train. It has been a pleasure working with you Crabb. Should you ever decide that you would like to work in London, I would be more than happy to put in a good word for you,’ said Ravenscroft shaking hands with his constable.
‘That is uncommonly good of you sir, but to tell you the truth, me and my Jennie quite like it here in Malvern. We reckon there could be nowhere finer sir to bring up children,’ said Crabb opening the carriage door.
‘Perhaps one day, we may have the opportunity to work together again, on some particularly baffling case, or other.’
‘I would look forward to that sir,’ beamed Crabb.
‘Give my best wishes to your wife.’
‘I will sir. Oh that reminds me. Jennie and I were talking together last night, and we thought we would ask you, if you would kindly see your way, to being a godparent to our child, when it’s born like,’ said Crabb somewhat awkwardly.
‘My dear Tom, you do me a great honour! I will be more than delighted,’ said Ravenscroft shaking the other’s hand vigorously.
‘That is uncommonly good of you, sir. Jennie will be well pleased. And what will you do on your return to London, sir?’