Furious Old Women by Leo Bruce

Rumble does a certain amount of gardening at Crossways when he has time. Perhaps because of that he takes the view so ardently held by the Misses Griggs. Frankly I do not know which, if either, was to blame. On the one hand Rumble seems to have a happy disposition, on the other it is not always the more bitter ones who are responsible for quarrels.”
    â€œYou were saying that you went to the church?”
    â€œYes. At about five o’clock.”
    â€œThat would mean that its lights were on and could be seen from outside?”
    â€œYes. When I arrived the church was in darkness. I switched on the main light over the chancel.”
    â€œWas there anything unusual or out-of-place?”
    â€œNot that I observed. All seemed quite as it should be. Mrs Rumble keeps the church in order. I saw nothing to criticize though I was not that moment looking for anything.”
    â€œWas there any sign of the brass having been recently cleaned?”
    â€œNow there you have me,” said the vicar. “I did not notice the brass.”
    â€œNot even the lectern?”
    â€œNo. The lectern is in the form of a magnificent brass eagle with outspread wings. It was a gift from the father of the Misses Griggs and Mrs Bobbin before I had the living. You may know the kind of thing?”
    â€œI do indeed.”
    â€œI certainly did not notice that afternoon if it had been recently polished.”
    â€œPity. Did you happen to see a pair of galoshes near the door?”
    â€œGaloshes?” repeated the vicar.
    â€œRubber overshoes.”
    â€œNear the door?”
    â€œYes, Mr Waddell. Near the door.”
    â€œNo. That would be most unusual.”
    â€œBut it was dark when you arrived? You could have passed them?”
    â€œI think not. The switches for all the lights are at the West end of the church.”
    â€œStill, you can’t be certain?”
    â€œNo. I can’t be certain.”
    â€œYou see, Mr Waddell, there is a suggestion that Millicent Griggs went to the church that afternoon to clean her brass. She may have been murdered on the way to the church, or coming away from it, or even
in
it, for all we know.”
    â€œTerrible. Terrible.”
    â€œSo anything you could tell me which would suggest that she had been there, or had not been there….”
    â€œI hardly know what to say. On the one hand all seemed so peaceful yet on the other I suppose that shortly before or after my visit…. Terrible. My wife would like you to take a cup of tea with us.”
    â€œI shall be delighted. You saw nothing?”
    â€œNothing unusual, no.”
    â€œAnd heard nothing?”
    â€œNot in the church. Not at that time.”
    â€œThen?”
    â€œAfter returning here I set out to call on Miss Vaillant. Miss Vaillant, as you may know, occupies the Old Vicarage just opposite the church. I couldn’t possibly afford to keep it up and got permission to let it while we have moved into these more modest quarters. It was past six when I approached Miss Vaillant’s house. The church was, of course, in darkness. The village seemed quiet. A dark peaceful night. Then, just before I rang the bell, I heard the sound of a motor-bike engine starting up.”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œIt
sounded
as though it came from the lane behind the church.”
    â€œWas that very unusual?”
    â€œWell, no. That lane is used, I gather, by the young people of the village. Harmless, I’m sure … I suppose … I hope. Our village policeman seems perturbed about it. He explained to me that once the young folk imagine they can do what they want….”
    â€œYes, he gave me his views on public morality. So why did you particularly notice that motor-cycle being started?”
    â€œI hardly know. But I did notice it.”
    The cheerful daughter came to the door.
    â€œTea’s ready,” she said, and Carolus found himself following her to a small drawing-room