Motives For Murder by J F Straker

Author:J F Straker [Straker, J F]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Media
Published: 2015-03-24T04:00:00+00:00

8 - Man With a Bicycle

Few of the staff had been able to hold the interest of their respective forms that morning. But if mental control was difficult physical control was even more so. During the breaks between lessons boys thronged the corridors and the hall, pestering every one for information, darting to the library door each time it opened in the hope of catching sight of one or other of the detectives. Mr Latimer and the duty-master shooed them away with threats of punishment if they returned, but neither shooing nor threats were of lasting avail. The tide momentarily receded and then flowed back again. It was not until nearly the whole staff was on permanent duty downstairs that curiosity was baulked and order restored.

During lessons it appeared that the school had suddenly become afflicted with incontinence. The procession from classrooms to lavatory (and always via the hall) seemed never ending until the more hardened and experienced members of the staff adopted a complete and callous disregard of even the most importunate pleas. The weaker members, however, such as Anne and Chris, could not resist the dervish-like antics and agonized expressions with which they were confronted on refusing to allow a boy to leave the room. The procession was checked, but there were always a few boys missing from their classrooms.

Lunch at the staff table was therefore in the nature of an impromptu council of war.

‘I am afraid there can be neither rest nor relaxation for any of us while the police are here,’ said Mr Latimer. He looked worried and harassed, but Colin could not help suspecting that this statement must have given him some satisfaction. Mr Latimer liked to get his money’s worth. ‘I cannot allow this morning’s disgraceful exhibition to be repeated. The boys must be kept away from the hall and, as much as possible, out of the corridors. And I want you all to discourage any discussion on this wretched business. I believe some most extraordinary rumours are circulating in the school.’

‘They can’t be more extraordinary than the truth,’ said James. ‘Or perhaps I should say, what we are allowed to know of the truth.’

Colin was silent. Silence, he had decided, should shroud him in council and discussion — at least in the presence of the headmaster. He had been conspicuous in bringing them to the present crisis. Now that it was upon them he preferred to remain inconspicuous.

‘You can’t avoid rumours,’ Smelton said peevishly. He had reached an age when the solace of rest and a cigarette between classes had become almost an essential in the daily routine. The prospect of unrelieved duty appalled him. ‘They’ll get worse, too, unless the boys are given a reason for the police being here. Incidentally, their letters home on Sunday should make interesting reading.’

James gave a low whistle. ‘Yes, that’s a point. We’ll have to censor them. Parents will be swarming here on Monday like bees if we don’t.’

Mr Latimer frowned, but made no comment; and for some time there was little talk at the staff table.

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