Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie Page A

out there seeing that nothing is disturbed.”
    â€œThank you, madam.”
    Kelsey followed Miss Bulstrode into her sitting room. “Who found the body?”
    â€œThe matron, Miss Johnson. One of the girls had earache and Miss Johnson was up attending to her. As she did so, she noticed the curtains were not pulled properly and going to pull them she observed that there was a light on in the Sports Pavilion which there should not have been at 1 a.m.,” finished Miss Bulstrode dryly.
    â€œQuite so,” said Kelsey. “Where is Miss Johnson now?”
    â€œShe is here if you want to see her?”
    â€œPresently. Will you go on, madam.”
    â€œMiss Johnson went and woke up another member of my staff, Miss Chadwick. They decided to go out and investigate. As they were leaving by the side door they heard the sound of a shot, whereupon they ran as quickly as they could towards the Sports Pavilion. On arrival there—”
    The Inspector broke in. “Thank you, Miss Bulstrode. If, as you say, Miss Johnson is available, I will hear the next part from her. But first, perhaps, you will tell me something about the murdered woman.”
    â€œHer name is Grace Springer.”
    â€œShe has been with you long?”
    â€œNo. She came to me this term. My former Games Mistress left to take up a post in Australia.”
    â€œAnd what did you know about this Miss Springer?”
    â€œHer testimonials were excellent,” said Miss Bulstrode.
    â€œYou didn’t know her personally before that?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œHave you any idea at all, even the vaguest, of what might have precipitated this tragedy? Was she unhappy? Any unfortunate entanglements?”
    Miss Bulstrode shook her head. “Nothing that I know of. I may say,” she went on, “that it seems to me most unlikely. She was not that kind of a woman.”
    â€œYou’d be surprised,” said Inspector Kelsey darkly.
    â€œWould you like me to fetch Miss Johnson now?”
    â€œIf you please. When I’ve heard her story I’ll go out to the gym—or the—what d’you call it—Sports Pavilion?”
    â€œIt is a newly built addition to the school this year,” said Miss Bulstrode. “It is built adjacent to the swimming pool and it comprises a squash court and other features. The racquets, lacrosse and hockey sticks are kept there, and there is a drying room for swim suits.”
    â€œWas there any reason why Miss Springer should be in the Sports Pavilion at night?”
    â€œNone whatever,” said Miss Bulstrode unequivocally.
    â€œVery well, Miss Bulstrode. I’ll talk to Miss Johnson now.”
    Miss Bulstrode left the room and returned bringing the matron with her. Miss Johnson had had a sizeable dollop of brandy administered to her to pull her together after her discovery of the body. The result was a slightly added loquacity.
    â€œThis is Detective Inspector Kelsey,” said Miss Bulstrode. “Pull yourself together, Elspeth, and tell him exactly what happened.”
    â€œIt’s dreadful,” said Miss Johnson, “it’s really dreadful. Such a thing has never happened before in all my experience. Never!I couldn’t have believed it, I really couldn’t’ve believed it. Miss Springer too!”
    Inspector Kelsey was a perceptive man. He was always willing to deviate from the course of routine if a remark struck him as unusual or worth following up.
    â€œIt seems to you, does it,” he said, “very strange that it was Miss Springer who was murdered?”
    â€œWell yes, it does, Inspector. She was so—well, so tough, you know. So hearty. Like the sort of woman one could imagine taking on a burglar single-handed—or two burglars.”
    â€œBurglars? H’m,” said Inspector Kelsey. “Was there anything to steal in the Sports Pavilion?”
    â€œWell, no, really I can’t see what there can have