Chapter Twenty-Eight
IM iss Marple smoothed over the top of her suitcase, tucked in an end of woolly shawl and shut the lid down. Shelooked round her bedroom. No, she had left nothing behind. Crump came in to fetch down her luggage. Miss Marplewent into the next room to say goodbye to Miss Ramsbottom.
“I’m afraid,” said Miss Marple, “that I’ve made a very poor return for your hospitality. I hope you will be able toforgive me someday.”
“Hah,” said Miss Ramsbottom.
She was as usual playing patience.
“Black knave¹, red queen,” she observed, then she darted² a shrewd, sideways glance at Miss Marple. “You foundout what you wanted to, I suppose,” she said.
“Yes.”
“And I suppose you’ve told that police inspector³ all about it? Will he be able to prove a case?”
“I’m almost sure he will,” said Miss Marple. “It may take a little time.”
“I’m not asking you any questions,” said Miss Ramsbottom. “You’re a shrewd woman. I knew that as soon as Isaw you. I don’t blame you for what you’ve done. Wickedness is wickedness and has got to be punished. There’s abad streak⁴ in this family. It didn’t come from our side, I’m thankful to say. Elvira, my sister, was a fool. Nothingworse.
“Black knave,” repeated Miss Ramsbottom, fingering the card. “Handsome, but a black heart. Yes, I was afraid ofit. Ah, well, you can’t always help loving a sinner. The boy always had a way with him. Even got round me . . . Told alie about the time he left me that day. I didn’t contradict him, but I wondered . . . I’ve wondered ever since. But he wasElvira’s boy—I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. Ah well, you’re a righteous woman, Jane Marple, and rightmust prevail. I’m sorry for his wife, though.”
“So am I,” said Miss Marple.
In the hall Pat Fortescue was waiting to say good-bye.
“I wish you weren’t going,” she said. “I shall miss you.”
“It’s time for me to go,” said Miss Marple. “I’ve finished what I came here to do. It hasn’t been—altogetherpleasant. But it’s important, you know, that wickedness shouldn’t triumph.”

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