On first entering, Watson and Makepeace assumed the Parish Church was deserted: all was quiet; no sign of life. Watson put his finger to his lips and signalled for Makepeace to go to the south of the church and walk up the far aisle while he did the same on the north or ‘organ’ side, as everyone called it. That way, the Inspector decided, the whole of the nave could be checked in the speediest manner possible. 

Makepeace was the first to observe signs of life. Up in the chancel, right between the choirstalls, Charles Verney was talking to Olivier Laverne and an unknown third person clothed in a heavy black coat and hat with their back to the nave. The Detective Sergeant motioned to Wright Watson, who tiptoed up to the west-facing organ case. Once in position, he peered through the chan...

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