'Just so, sir. I'll have to take a full statement from you in the morning, but, if I can get one or two facts quite clear for the moment, it may help me.'
'To make sure I don't spend the night cooking up a story?' Richardson felt panic-stricken again.
'Now, now, sir! You could have only one reason for doing that, you know.'
Richardson, in his fright, asked disingenuously, 'Good Lord! You don't think the chap was
'That is a matter for the doctor, sir. Now, if you'd just give me an account of your movements yesterday and today...'
Richardson, feeling slightly sick, gave the Superintendent a resume of what he had done and where he had been. It sounded inadequate, he thought.
'So, you see, I had a bit of a shock when I clocked in here at about half-past nine or just after, to find that I'd got a visitor. I was sure he was dead, but I did my best for him,' he said in conclusion.
'Yes, sir?'
'Then I went to that house over there-there were lights on then, but they're out now-to telephone, you know.'
'Yes?'
'But there was nobody there who was prepared to authorise me to use the phone-only the maids and they wouldn't let me in. I don't blame them, of course, only it meant that I had to get back to the hotel. I telephoned you from there as soon as I could.'
'Very good sir. Well, as soon as the constable gets here, I'll run you back. I suppose they can give you a bed?'
'I've no idea, but I certainly can't sleep here.'
'Definitely not, sir.' Someone holding a torch approached them. 'Ah, here comes Sansom.' He gave the constable some directions. 'Now, then, sir, I expect you can do with some sleep. It's a bit late for you to fix up at the hotel, now I come to think of it, so, if you'll accept another arrangement, there's a spare room at my house and we'll drive back there now and soon get you settled for the night.'
'Well, thanks...' said Richardson uncertainly. 'It will mean I'll be on the spot for questioning in the morning, I suppose. Still, it's very good of you.'
'Think nothing of it, sir. As for questioning, there's nothing to worry about there. It's just routine, you know. The circumstances are unusual, you see, and we'll need to get a clear picture. That's all there is to it, you'll find. Oh, there
'Yes, but it gives a pretty strong light, you know, and the battery's new.'
'Quite so, sir. Well, now, if you don't mind just borrowing my torch while I stand by.'
'What on earth for?' Richardson realised that, unintentionally, his voice was high-pitched and his tone nervous.
'Well, sir, the circumstances being, as I say and as you will admit, unusual, I would appreciate it if you would just take another look at the body to make certain you don't know who it is.'
Richardson's heart failed him. The Superintendent suspected something! There was nothing for it, however, but to comply with his request. He accepted the loan of the powerful torch and unwillingly crawled into the tent. It was a complete and almost devastating shock to see that the body was no longer that of Colnbrook. What lay there was the corpse of a man considerably shorter than Colnbrook. It must be that of the other runner, although both men had changed their clothes since he had seen them last. Colnbrook had had on a rather aggressive check suit. This man had on a tweed jacket and flannel trousers.
Feeling sick, Richardson backed out of the tent and handed the torch to the Superintendent.
'I don't know him,' he said. This, at least, was true. 'But, well, it doesn't look to me like the same man,' he added, desperately anxious to cover up his first lie.
'Come, come, sir. You had a shock, I daresay, when you first saw the body. Not surprising, that. You can't identify him, then?'
'He's pretty persistent,' thought Richardson. Aloud he said, 'No, I certainly can't. What can have induced him to plant himself on me?'
'That we must find out, sir-that is, if he
'What do you mean by that?' (Murder, of course! They
'We have to keep open minds, sir, when bodies are found in unexpected places under what might prove to be suspicious circumstances. That's all, sir,' said the Superintendent, soothingly. 'And now, come along, sir. Hop in the back and we'll soon find you a kip-down for the night. Best forget about this until the morning.'
'Shall I-do I have to attend an inquest or anything?'
'I'm afraid so, sir, but there's plenty of time for that. You'll only need to depose that you found the body. Then we'll have to get it identified, as you cannot help us there, and the rest is up to the medical officer. There's really nothing to worry about.'
'Sez you!' thought Richardson grimly.
The police car ground itself over the rough gravel until it reached the road which led to the hotel. It passed the hotel and turned through a shallow water-splash and up the main street of the sleeping village. At the top it turned to the right at the level crossing, and, some time later, after a smooth rush on an empty main road, it was driven in at the double gates of a large, red-brick, new-looking police station lighted fearsomely by the