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Martindale. Do you know a Miss Millicent Pebmarsh?”
    â€œPebmarsh,” said Miss Martindale, wrinkling her sandy brows. “Now when—oh, of course. It was to Miss Pebmarsh’s house that Sheila went this afternoon. The appointment was for three o’clock.”
    â€œHow was that appointment made, Miss Martindale?”
    â€œBy telephone. Miss Pebmarsh rang up and said she wanted the services of a shorthand typist and would I send her Miss Webb.”
    â€œShe asked for Sheila Webb particularly?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhat time was this call put through?”
    Miss Martindale reflected for a moment.
    â€œIt came through to me direct. That would mean that it was in the lunch hour. As near as possible I would say that it was about ten minutes to two. Before two o’clock at all events. Ah yes, I see I made a note on my pad. It was 1:49 precisely.”
    â€œIt was Miss Pebmarsh herself who spoke to you?” Miss Martindale looked a little surprised.
    â€œI presume so.”
    â€œBut you didn’t recognize her voice? You don’t know her personally?”
    â€œNo. I don’t know her. She said that she was Miss Millicent Pebmarsh, gave me her address, a number in Wilbraham Crescent. Then, as I say, she asked for Sheila Webb, if she was free, to come to her at three o’clock.”
    It was a clear, definite statement. I thought that Miss Martindale would make an excellent witness.
    â€œIf you would kindly tell me what all this is about?” said Miss Martindale with slight impatience.
    â€œWell, you see, Miss Martindale, Miss Pebmarsh herself denies making any such call.”
    Miss Martindale stared.
    â€œIndeed! How extraordinary.”
    â€œYou, on the other hand, say such a call was made, but youcannot say definitely that it was Miss Pebmarsh who made that call.”
    â€œNo, of course I can’t say definitely. I don’t know the woman. But really, I can’t see the point of doing such a thing. Was it a hoax of some kind?”
    â€œRather more than that,” said Hardcastle. “Did this Miss Pebmarsh—or whoever it was—give any reason for wanting Miss Sheila Webb particularly?”
    Miss Martindale reflected a moment.
    â€œI think she said that Sheila Webb had done work for her before.”
    â€œAnd is that in fact so?”
    â€œSheila said she had no recollection of having done anything for Miss Pebmarsh. But that is not quite conclusive, Inspector. After all, the girls go out so often to different people at different places that they would be unlikely to remember if it had taken place some months ago. Sheila wasn’t very definite on the point. She only said that she couldn’t remember having been there. But really, Inspector, even if this was a hoax, I cannot see where your interest comes in?”
    â€œI am just coming to that. When Miss Webb arrived at 19, Wilbraham Crescent she walked into the house and into the sitting room. She has told me that those were the directions given her. You agree?”
    â€œQuite right,” said Miss Martindale. “Miss Pebmarsh said that she might be a little late in getting home and that Sheila was to go in and wait.”
    â€œWhen Miss Webb went into the sitting room,” continued Hardcastle, “she found a dead man lying on the floor.”
    Miss Martindale stared at him. For a moment she could hardly find her voice.
    â€œDid you say a dead man, Inspector?”
    â€œA murdered man,” said Hardcastle. “Stabbed, actually.”
    â€œDear, dear,” said Miss Martindale. “The girl must have been very upset.”
    It seemed the kind of understatement characteristic of Miss Martindale.
    â€œDoes the name of Curry mean anything to you, Miss Martindale? Mr. R.H. Curry?”
    â€œI don’t think so, no.”
    â€œFrom the Metropolis and Provincial Insurance Company?”
    Miss Martindale continued to shake her