you had a few punctures recently and you said you could mend them. You said you were not an old woman. Now Jennifer Coleby is not an old woman — but
'And what happened then, do you think, sir?'
'Crowther has told us what happened for the next few miles.'
'Do you believe him?'
Morse sat thoughtfully and didn't answer immediately. The phone rang. 'No,' said Morse, 'I don't believe him.' Lewis watched the Inspector. He could not hear what was being said on the other end of the line. Morse listened impassively.
'Thank you very much,' he said finally. 'What time would be convenient? All right. Thank you.'
He put down the phone, and Lewis looked at him expectantly.
'Well, sir?'
'I told you Lewis. You're a genius.'
'Her car
Morse nodded. 'Miss Jennifer Coleby rang the Cowley Tire and Battery Co. at 6.15 p.m. on the evening of Wednesday, 29 September. She said it was urgent — a very flat front tire. They couldn't get there until sevenish and she said that was too late.'
'We're making headway, sir.'
'We are, indeed. Now what about our bus ride?'
The two men caught the 11.35 4A to Woodstock. It was half empty and they sat in the front seat on the upper deck. Morse was silent and Lewis mulled over the strange developments in the case. The bus made good speed and stopped only four times before reaching Woodstock. At the third of these stops Morse gave his sergeant a dig in the ribs and Lewis looked out to see where they were. The bus had pulled into a shallow lay-by just outside Begbroke, at a large, thatched house with its garden crowded with tables and chairs set under brightly striped umbrellas; he bent his head down to the bottom of the side window to see the name of the public house and read the two words
'Interesting?' said Morse.
'Very,' replied Lewis. He thought he might as well say some thing.
They alighted at Woodstock and Morse led the way. 'Ready for a pint, Sergeant?'
They walked into the cocktail bar of The Black Prince. 'Good morning, Mrs. McFee. You won't remember me, I suppose?'
'I remember you very well, Inspector.'
'What a memory,' said Morse.
'What can I get for you, gentlemen?' She was clearly not amused.
'Two pints of best bitter, please.'
'Official business?' Her dislike of Morse's manner was not quite enough to stifle her natural curiosity.
'No. No. Just a friendly visit to look at you again.' He's in good spirits this morning, thought Lewis.
'I see from the paper that you're hoping. .' she fumbled for the words.
'We're making progress, aren't we, Sergeant?'
'Oh yes,' said Lewis. After all, he was the other half of those intensive inquiries.
'Don't they ever give you a few hours off?' asked Morse.
'Oh, they're very good really.' She was softening a little towards him; it was always nice to be reminded how hard she worked. 'As a matter of fact I've got tonight and all of Saturday and Sunday off.'
'Where shall we go?' asked Morse.
The hostess smiled professionally. 'Where do you suggest, Inspector?' Good for you, my girl, thought Lewis.
Morse asked for the menu and studied it in some detail.
'What's the food like here?' asked Morse.
'Why don't you try it?'
Morse appeared to consider the possibility but asked instead if there was a good fish-and-chip shop near by. There wasn't. Several customers had come in and the policemen left by the side entrance and walked into the yard. To their right, a car was sitting up on its haunches, with each of the front wheels off. Underneath the car, suitably