Murder at the Grange

The Plot

One bright summer afternoon just after Whitsun Sir Giles Fortescue was found murdered in his study at the Grange, Barnham. An Indian dagger removed from the wall had been plunged into his back as he sat writing at his desk. His old butler, who had served him faithfully for many years found him and estimates the time of his death at 15.45 hours as he had just heard the clock strike the quarter. The family doctor later confirmed the time at the autopsy.

The Suspects

Detective Inspector Sludge, after extensive interviews with all those known to be near the scene of the crime at the fatal time, finally eliminated all the household on the grounds of long and faithful service and lack of motive. He narrowed the field down to the three guests who had been staying with Sir Giles at the time.

All three guests knew that they were named as beneficiaries in the will in which Sir Giles had accounted for his very considerable estate since he had read the will to them the evening before.

All three suspects had gone out that afternoon. Accounts of their activities derived from Inspector Sludge’s notes are given below in alphabetical order.

1. Colonel Adams, a retired officer of the Indian army, was helped with his fishing tackle by the butler to the 14.57 bus travelling to Plumtree Halt. From this bus he claims he caught the train to Snitterton Bay for the day. There he fished for the entire day and saw no one. He retains half his return ticket as proof that he was on the train. No one at the station remembers him but it was very busy that day with day-trippers.

2. Miss Blake, a young lady of 22, left the house to go shopping in Barnham village at 15.15. She was given a lift to the bus stop outside the Grange gates by Mr Clarke. He saw her onto the 15.20 bus. A dress shop assistant remembers serving her at 15.30 and a post office assistant sold her some stamps at 16.05. She claims she was having tea in between these two visits but no one remembers her at the tea-shop as it was very crowded that day. She met no one other than Mr Clarke that afternoon before returning to the Grange.

3. Mr. Clarke, a young aspiring executive of 26, went out in his red sports car to see an antique dealer with whom he had an appointment for 16.00 at Mulchester, 15 miles away. The butler saw him drive away at 15.35. The antique dealer says he was on time for his appointment.

Extract from the Barnham District Bus and Train Timetable

I. Buses
Barnham dep.	14.52	Plumtree Halt dep.	15.12
The Grange dep.	14.57	The Grange dep.	15.20
Plumtree Halt arr.	15.07 etc. every hour	Barnham arr.	15.25
II. Trains
Plumtree Halt dep.	15.10	Snitterton Bay dep.	13.40
Snitterton Bay. arr.	16.15 etc. every hour	Plumtree Halt arr.	14.45

I. Solve the psychology quiz by answering the following questions.

1. Colonel Adams

Inspector Sludge: If he committed the murder? How would he have done it?

Police Constable: If he had done it, he ….

Inspector Sludge: How could he have got back to the Grange in time?

Police Constable: He…

Inspector Sludge: If he had done this? Would anyone else have seen him?

Police Constable: If he had done this? … seen him when ….

Therefore he … (could have / couldn’t have) done it.

2. Miss Blake

Inspector Sludge: If she had committed the murder, how would she have done it?

Police Constable: If she had done it? She (have to) …

Inspector Sludge: At what time would she have done it?

Police Constable: She … between … and ….

Inspector Sludge: How would she have got back to the Grange?

Police Constable: She could …

Inspector Sludge: If she had done this, would she have had enough time?

Police Constable: It seems (likely/unlikely) that she … unless she (run) all the way.

3. Mr. Clarke

Inspector Sludge: If she had committed the murder? How would he have done it?

Police Constable: If he had done it? He probably (leave) his car … and ….

Inspector Sludge: If he had done this, would he have still been in time for his appointment?

Police Constable: He… not … in time for his appointment unless he … 15 miles in less than 15 minutes.

Inspector Sludge: If he had done this, at about what time would he have crossed the bridge?

Police Constable: He (cross) the bridge at about …

II. Express your own opinion of the case.

Folktale

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