A Javelin for Jonah

“Coincidences do occur,” said Hamish, who had decided not to be drawn, even by his friend, into admitting that Dame Beatrice was at the College because he had asked her to investigate what appeared to be a case of murder.

This was not the only conversation between members of the staff which was going on at the time.

“I don’t much like it,” said Barry to Jerry.

“Don’t like what?”

“That old lady is a witch and, if you ask me, this is going to be a witch-hunt.”

“That means witches being hunted. They didn’t do the hunting. As a matter of fact, I know all about her. She isn’t only a psychiatrist. She’s a brilliantly successful smeller-out of murderers.”

“So what?”

“Well, you don’t think Jonah’s death was accidental, do you?”

“I most certainly do, and I suggest you begin thinking the same and convincing yourself that you’re right.”

Jerry was silent and looked thoughtful. Then he said, awkwardly, “Well, anyway, I think you and Lesley both ought to watch your step.”

Barry turned on him and angrily demanded, “Look here, what do you mean by that?”

“All right. I’m talking as a pal, Barry, old man, so don’t take umbrage. Just cast your mind back a bit and think things over. You and Lesley have both opened your mouths a lot too wide, if you ask me,” said Jerry firmly.

“But, good lord! I mean, nobody would think I’d do Jones in because of what happened to Colin!”

“No, not because of that in itself, but you’ve made a few threatening remarks from time to time and people remember these things, particularly when the police begin questioning them.”

“Oh, to hell with the police! All that we have to do is to stick to the theory of accident. A student, fooling about with a javelin, killed Jones and that’s the beginning and the end and the long and the short of it.”

“What about the burial in the long-jump pit? Doesn’t that look like guilt?”

“Put it down to panic, that’s the safest bet.”

“Well, yes, one might get away with that. I can well understand that you don’t want your name connected with long-jump pits more than it is already.”

“I’m damned if I can think what you mean!”

“Well, think a bit harder. The police are going to hear all about Colin, you know, and they’re not going to let up until they’ve got to the bottom of what actually happened to Jonah. And what happened to Jonah was murder. I’m certain of that.”

“Very well, stick your neck out and tell everybody, only don’t be surprised if you get your head chopped off. As for me, much as I detested Jonah, I don’t even know how to throw a javelin, damn it!”

“That javelin didn’t have to be thrown,” said Jerry. “Don’t you realize that?”

Barry stared at him, his face whitening. “God!” he said. “Neither it did. Not with that head on it, no.”

“What I’d like to know,” went on Jerry, “is when the point of the javelin was changed, apart from who changed it and why.”

“With the workshops open until evening Hall, and often no supervision over the chaps who use them, it could have been done at any time during the past year or two, couldn’t it?”

“No, it must have been done very recently, or Henry, or Ma Yale, or the students themselves would have spotted that a much heavier, sharper point had been put on one of the javelins. The fellow was a fool to put it back with the others. He should have taken damn good care to lose it.”

“The students can’t get away from here, and, anyway, anybody carrying a dirty great spear about would look pretty conspicuous, wouldn’t he?”

The third conversation between members of Gascoigne Medlar’s staff was carried on by Miss Yale and Lesley.

“Well,” said Miss Yale, pouring hospitable drinks, “Celia is well out of this.”

“Out of what?”

“The hoo-ha over Jonah’s death and burial.”

“Why is she? She couldn’t have had anything to do with it, even if she’d been in College at the time. She’s a swimming and diving expert, not a fancy spear-hurler. However the thing happened, and for whatever reason (unless it was an accident, and that’s what I’m perfectly prepared to believe), one of the students is responsible.”

“Why are you so sure of that? Jonah was as unpopular with us as he was with them; even more so, perhaps, with some of us.”

“Who, for example?” asked Lesley, staring hard at Miss Yale as she put this abrupt question.

“Do you really want me to answer that?”

“Oh, well, I know I talked a bit wildly about those two girls of mine, but it was only to let off steam. You know that as well as I do. Come to that, I don’t think I’ve ever so much as touched a javelin, let alone knowing what to do with one if I got hold of it. If anybody on the staff chucked one at Jonah, I can think of far more likely people than myself who could have done it.” And she returned Miss Yale’s hard stare.

“Me, for one,” said Miss Yale. “Actually, you know, I think we can rule ourselves and the women students out.