As he and Crabb sat together in silence in the cab on their way back to Worcester, each not knowing what to say to the other, Ravenscroft began slowly to realize the enormity of the task which now faced them. He had been unable to discover the murderer of the librarian; the lost book still awaited recovery; he had interviewed many people and had gained little in the way of evidence. Now, he was faced with the incomprehensible death of a second victim: a poor, innocent, defenceless woman who had been killed in such brutal fashion.
And, worst of all, he would now have to travel to Malvern, to inform a young boy that his mother would never be returning home to him.
CHAPTER EIGHT
‘Do sit down, Inspector.’
‘Thank you.’
Ravenscroft and Crabb seated themselves on the sofa in the drawing-room of the residence of Sir Arthur Griffiths.
‘I am sorry I was not able to speak to you when you called upon us the other day. I understand that my daughter was able to answer all your questions.’ The speaker was a tall, well-dressed, moustached gentleman.
‘Your daughter was able to answer some of my questions,’ replied Ravenscroft.
‘This is a terrible business. I feel somewhat responsible.’
‘Oh, why do you say that, sir?’
‘The woman was an employee of mine and as such was under my care and protection,’ said Griffiths, brushing a hair away from the knee of his well-pressed trousers.
‘How long had Miss Weston been employed here?’
‘Eight or ten years, I think. Do you remember exactly, my dear?’ said the politician turning towards his daughter.
‘She came to us eight years ago,’ she replied.
‘Do you happen to know from which part of the country she came from?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘Worcester I believe. She was a local girl,’ replied Sir Arthur.
‘It was unusual, was it not, that she did not live on the premises? I believe it is the custom for servants to reside where they are employed,’ said Ravenscroft.
‘That is often the case, as you correctly say, Inspector, but as you are no doubt aware Miss Weston has a son. It would not be appropriate for her and the child to be housed together under my roof.’
‘Miss Weston was unmarried. Do you know who the father of her child was?’
‘Good heavens, Inspector! It is not my business to interfere into the personal lives of my servants,’ protested Griffiths.
‘And yet you still kept her on in your employ. A lesser employer might have dismissed her,’ suggested Ravenscroft.
‘My father is a Christian gentleman,’ interjected Miss Griffiths. ‘He does not abandon those who seek his help, in their hour of need.’
‘I am sure that is a very commendable attitude, Miss Griffiths.’
‘My daughter found lodgings for the girl in the town, and after her confinement she resumed her duties here,’ said the MP.
‘And how did you find Miss Weston?’ asked Crabb, looking up from his pocket book.
‘We had no cause for complaint,’ said Miss Griffiths, turning away and looking vacantly in the direction of the window.
‘When did you first notice her absence?’
‘Shortly before my father and I left for London.’
‘Did you not think it rather strange, Miss Griffiths, that Miss Weston had not arrived for work that day?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘I thought she was probably ill, and that she would return to work the following day.’
‘Look here, Ravenscroft, this is all rather distressing for my daughter,’ said Griffiths.
‘I am sorry, sir, but these questions have to be asked if we are to apprehend Miss Weston’s murderer,’ said Ravenscroft, with as much firmness as he could muster.
‘This is a shocking business. It is clear that some depraved ruffian from the lower depths of the town has committed this terrible deed. I would expect you to make an early arrest.To expedite matters I am prepared to announce a reward of fifty pounds for information leading to the apprehension of the villain.’
‘I don’t think that is wise, Father. You have your position to think about. It would not be appropriate if we were seen to be involved in this affair,’ said Miss Griffiths, looking anxiously across at her father.
‘My dear, you are perhaps right, as usual. I don’t know what I would have done without you, all these years since your mother’s death. No, Inspector, by all means offer the reward, but I think it best if you keep our names out of it.’
‘As you wish, although it might be best if we did not announce such a reward for a while, until at least after the inquest. Such an announcement will encourage a large number of people to come forward with all tales of fancy and suggestion.’
Sir Arthur nodded his approval.
‘May I turn now to the night of the disappearance of the librarian, Nicholas Evelyn. You were here that night, sir?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘I was, Inspector.’
‘At what time did you retire?’
‘It was just after ten, I believe.’
‘And your bedroom is at rear of the house?’
‘I have told you this already, Inspector,’ interjected Miss Griffiths nervously fingering the lace handkerchief in her lap.
‘It’s all right my dear, I am sure the Inspector is only performing his duty. Yes my bedroom is at the rear of the house.’
‘You were unable then to see anyone either entering or leaving the cathedral later that night?’
‘As you say, Inspector.’
‘Do you know, Miss Griffiths, if any of the servants saw anything that night?’ asked Ravenscroft.
‘I have spoken with the cook and the maid. They retired at around ten. Their rooms are in the basement, so they do not have a view directly out on to the cathedral,’ replied the young lady, turning the handkerchief round in her fingers.
‘Sir Arthur, were you in any way acquainted with the librarian Nicholas Evelyn?’
‘No. I had never spoken to the man,’ the politician replied, taking out his pocket watch and looking down at its face. Ravenscroft was beginning to feel that his allotted time was drawing to its conclusion.
‘I understand that your duties necessitate your being away in London a great deal?’
‘I am there during the week when the House is in session, and even when it is not I have a number of business interests that require my presence there one or two days each week. I stay at one of my clubs when I am up in town. The weekend and the rest of the week is spent here in Worcester. There are great demands on my time from my constituents,’ replied Sir Arthur, in a formal manner.
‘That is all for now, Sir Arthur,’ said Ravenscroft, suddenly standing up. ‘We may need to interview you again after the inquest.’
‘I’ll see you out, gentlemen,’ said Griffiths, rising from his chair, and opening the doors to the drawing-room.
‘Good day to you, Miss Griffiths,’ said Ravenscroft, as he and Crabb left the room.
‘Look here, Ravenscroft, we would be grateful to you if you catch this deplorable villain as quickly as you can. Such a gross violation must not go unpunished,’ said Sir Arthur, as the three men stood in the hall. ‘But I would be obliged if you would refrain from any further questioning of my daughter. She is not a well woman. The disappearance of her maid has caused her a great deal of distress, if you get my meaning.’
‘I understand perfectly,’ said Ravenscroft.
‘Good man. Knew I could rely on you. Catch this murdering scoundrel and I’ll see you all right.’
Ravenscroft smiled. ‘Thank you, sir. Oh, just one further question: when I was here the other day I could not help noticing that you were conversing with a Mrs Marchmont.’
‘Mrs Marchmont?’ said a bewildered Sir Arthur. ‘What has she to do with this affair?’
‘Can I ask you, what was the nature of her business, if I might be so bold?’