-- I'd say that there are a good many legal issues involved in this business, Sergeant .

Helen looked at him appraisingly.

-- You may need to check some of your law books . I may need to do some consulting with my lawyers as well . After all , you seem to be distinctly prone to error as you've proved several times today already.

She turned on her heel and walked from the office .

Meanwhile Peter paused . Looking round at the assembled policemen , he casually remarked :

-- The sergeant's thinking is certainly confused . Maybe there is a reason ? My nose tells me that there are a few other things that might be investigated , and quite close to home . Maybe the inspector could do some ferreting while he is here.

And he too left the room , to catch up with Helen.

-- That Aussie mouth of yours will get you in trouble one day , she warned .

-- I'll just have to risk it , shrugged Peter .

-- You want me to come back today ? It's a bit late.

-- No , that's enough for now. I'll just get some of the pictures bundled for Mrs Day.

-- Peter smacked himself on the forehead .

-- Mrs Day ! I'll have to go to her shop and pick up those flowers I ordered. I'll leave you then and go and get them now .

Without delay , he moved off to the shop while Helen returned up the lane to the Manor.

Entering the florist's , he asked if the flowers were ready.

-- I've nearly finished , said Mrs Day.

-- I see that the Sergeant has finished with you .

-- Oho yes . He's just found out that he is a thousand or more years out of date as a murder investigator.

Mrs Day looked up surprised and asked what Peter meant . It was a bit of a triumphant Peter that explained the situation .

-- I'm sure you'll get the full story before you come up to the Manor tomorrow , he remarked with the straightest of faces .

-- Helen is getting the photographs ready for you.

Mrs Day didn't notice his slightly ironical tone in her realisation that she would benefit from her efforts with the letters . She handed over the flowers and chocolates . Peter paid her , thanked her for doing a good job with the bouquet , and went off to The Wishing Well .

There he found Mrs George busy cleaning the counter.

-- For you , he said , presenting her with the flowers , to both her pleasure and her surprise .

-- I would like you to know that I appreciate very much your having me in your home . I also like the meals you serve here,

-- Well , but ... , began Mrs George , only to be stopped by Peter's upheld hand .

-- Mrs George , I have always found that variety is the spice of life . It's why I have gone traveling . And that goes for my diet too .

He grinned .

-- I'm sorry , but really , if you find offence in my eating elsewhere at times , then I do have the chance of alternative accommodation .

He was not being entirely truthful , but Mrs George was not to know that . She looked a little shamefaced , and signified she understood .

-- Thank you for the flowers , she said .

-- They're my favourites . And how did you know how much I like chocolate?

Peter tapped the side of his nose .

-- Word gets around , he said.

With that he went off to his room , to rest and be ready for what might turn out to be a wearing day on the morrow , on top of the hectic events of the present day .

As he went in , he picked up an envelope addressed to him , and took it up with him to read the enclosed note .