question,' said Kent. ''s not exactly overcrowded out there. By the by, talking of finding, is there anything on that bra?" "What? Oh that. Yes,' said Dalziel, annoyed at having to be asked. ''re looking for a girl with a 34 inch bust whose initials might be F or E, N or A. They had been marked, but many washes ago. It's probably nothing to do with this anyway. It must be a popular spot in those dunes and a few articles of clothing are bound to go adrift." "Ay,' said Kent gloomily. ' found any number of old French letters.
But a bra's a bit different, isn't it? And if it had the owner's initials on, that must have been for a reason. Like identification in communal living, I mean. Like here."
"We'll make a detective out of you yet,' said Dalziel only half sarcastically. ' a look at the student list. See if any of the initials fit."
"OK, sir,' said Kent. ', I'm off. Who's for golf, eh?"
He went out of the door making minute swinging motions of the arm and clucking his tongue against the roof of his mouth.
Dalziel turned to the desk and began organizing his day's business.
Already he had accumulated an amazing amount of paper in the form of reports, statements, directives, instructions etc., etc., and the two drawers vacated for him by Landor in the filing cabinet were quite full.
The principal had by no means completed his removals to the new administration centre and even Dalziel felt reluctant to urge him to get a move on.
He called in a uniformed constable to help sort things out and to answer the telephone. He was beginning to feel the irritation which always grew on him if he found himself cooped up unproductively for no matter how short a length of time.
It came as a relief when Simeon Landor arrived in midmorning and reminded him about the staff meeting.
"You said you'd come and say a few words,' he said apologetically. ' just want to put everyone formally in the picture, that's all. It's just ten minutes during coffee break so that everyone can attend without cutting lectures. If you're too busy, please say so, and I'll ... " "Not at all,' said Dalziel expansively. I'll be glad of the chance to meet them all collectively. After all, you're the people who must know what goes on round here. You've a right to all the information we have."
He gave a few quick instructions to the constable, then left with Landor, enjoying the feel of the sun on his balding pate as they made their way towards the building which housed the Senior Common Room.
Conversation stopped for a moment as Landor ushered him into the crowded room, but almost immediately some of the more ancient inmates, the Misses Scotby and Disney much in evidence, demonstrated their good breeding by continuing their conversations at a higher pitch than before and looking fixedly away from Dalziel.
Landor supplied him with a cup of coffee and led him to a chair behind a table at the far end of the room.
"May we begin?' he said in a voice so conversational that Dalziel imagined he was being addressed directly despite the fact that Landor had half-turned his back on him. But he quickly realized that the principal was addressing his staff. Evidently in these circles you didn't shout or ring a bell to bring a meeting to order, you merely spoke to those nearest you and by some aural osmosis the message eventually reached the other end of the room.
Thank you,' said Landor. ' this is not a formal meeting so there will be no minutes either read, or taken. But as far as possible I suggest we stick to our usual modes of procedure. Most of you will know, by sight at least, Superintendent Dalziel. He has kindly agreed to come along today to put us in the picture, as it were. Everyone here will be aware of the double set of tragic circumstances which have necessitated his presence in the college. However, it is often difficult to separate truth from rumour and the better informed we are, the better informed the student body will be. Superintendent Dalziel."
Dalziel
But a bra's a bit different, isn't it? And if it had the owner's initials on, that must have been for a reason. Like identification in communal living, I mean. Like here."
"We'll make a detective out of you yet,' said Dalziel only half sarcastically. ' a look at the student list. See if any of the initials fit."
"OK, sir,' said Kent. ', I'm off. Who's for golf, eh?"
He went out of the door making minute swinging motions of the arm and clucking his tongue against the roof of his mouth.
Dalziel turned to the desk and began organizing his day's business.
Already he had accumulated an amazing amount of paper in the form of reports, statements, directives, instructions etc., etc., and the two drawers vacated for him by Landor in the filing cabinet were quite full.
The principal had by no means completed his removals to the new administration centre and even Dalziel felt reluctant to urge him to get a move on.
He called in a uniformed constable to help sort things out and to answer the telephone. He was beginning to feel the irritation which always grew on him if he found himself cooped up unproductively for no matter how short a length of time.
It came as a relief when Simeon Landor arrived in midmorning and reminded him about the staff meeting.
"You said you'd come and say a few words,' he said apologetically. ' just want to put everyone formally in the picture, that's all. It's just ten minutes during coffee break so that everyone can attend without cutting lectures. If you're too busy, please say so, and I'll ... " "Not at all,' said Dalziel expansively. I'll be glad of the chance to meet them all collectively. After all, you're the people who must know what goes on round here. You've a right to all the information we have."
He gave a few quick instructions to the constable, then left with Landor, enjoying the feel of the sun on his balding pate as they made their way towards the building which housed the Senior Common Room.
Conversation stopped for a moment as Landor ushered him into the crowded room, but almost immediately some of the more ancient inmates, the Misses Scotby and Disney much in evidence, demonstrated their good breeding by continuing their conversations at a higher pitch than before and looking fixedly away from Dalziel.
Landor supplied him with a cup of coffee and led him to a chair behind a table at the far end of the room.
"May we begin?' he said in a voice so conversational that Dalziel imagined he was being addressed directly despite the fact that Landor had half-turned his back on him. But he quickly realized that the principal was addressing his staff. Evidently in these circles you didn't shout or ring a bell to bring a meeting to order, you merely spoke to those nearest you and by some aural osmosis the message eventually reached the other end of the room.
Thank you,' said Landor. ' this is not a formal meeting so there will be no minutes either read, or taken. But as far as possible I suggest we stick to our usual modes of procedure. Most of you will know, by sight at least, Superintendent Dalziel. He has kindly agreed to come along today to put us in the picture, as it were. Everyone here will be aware of the double set of tragic circumstances which have necessitated his presence in the college. However, it is often difficult to separate truth from rumour and the better informed we are, the better informed the student body will be. Superintendent Dalziel."
Dalziel
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