The Droitwich Deceivers by Kerry Tombs

accompanying us on an excursion to Warminster. I am sure that Lord and Lady Roberts will be able to confirm or deny your story,’ said Ravenscroft beginning to rise up from his chair. ‘Shall we go now, Miss Petterson?’
    ‘All right, I will tell you everything,’ said the governess anxiously.
    ‘I wish you would, Miss Petterson. The truth would save us all a great deal of time,’ said Ravenscroft leaning back in his chair.
    ‘Dear me, this is so difficult. I do not quite know where to begin. Miss Petterson was my sister, Margaret. It was she who was employed by Lord and Lady Roberts in the capacity of governess. I also worked in the house as a ladies maid. My sister died as the result of catching an infection which lead to a fever. It was so unexpected. One day shortly afterwards I saw an advertisement in
The Times
, asking for a governess here at Hill Court. I had in my possession all my sister’s past references, and decided to apply for the position: I professed to be my sister seeking a new position. That is how I came to be here,’ replied the governess looking down at her hands, as she continued to turn the handkerchief nervously in her lap.
    ‘I see,’ replied Ravenscroft. ‘Forgive me, Miss Petterson, but surely Sir Charles and Lady Chilton would have also requested references from your sister’s employer?’
    ‘Yes of course they did. I intercepted the request and wroteback pretending to be Lady Roberts. It was a shameful thing to have done! I realize that now, but all I wanted to do was to better myself. I did not want to remain a lady’s maid for the rest of my life. As my sister was dead, I saw no harm in using her references,’ implored the governess, looking into Ravenscroft’s eyes.
    ‘Deception to obtain a position in a respectable household is a criminal offence, Miss Petterson,’ replied Ravenscroft sternly.
    ‘I know. I realize I have been extremely foolish, but I meant no harm by it, I can assure you. Have you never wanted to improve your standing in society? No one has been harmed by my actions, you must acknowledge that fact, Mr Ravenscroft?’
    ‘Miss Chilton, your charge is still missing.’
    ‘And I had nothing to do with that. I have told you the truth about Mildred’s disappearance. If I knew where she was, don’t you think I would have told you by now? If only I had not entered the church on that afternoon, then none of this would have happened. I suppose you are now going to inform Sir Charles and Lady Chilton of my deception? Is there anything I can say in my defence?’
    ‘You are not in a court of law, Miss Petterson. I know that your employer speaks well of you, and I understand that Miss Chilton is fond of you, but that does not excuse your previous conduct in this matter.’
    ‘Please, I emplore you not to tell Sir Charles. I could not bear that. I have done no harm, Inspector,’ pleaded the governess.
    ‘I am prepared to keep this conversation confidential for the moment, Miss Petterson, or at least until Mildred has been returned, but I cannot promise you that this matter can be totally overlooked,’ said Ravenscroft rising from his seat.
    ‘Thank you, Inspector.’
    ‘Oh one more thing, Miss Petterson, I wonder if you could identify this handkerchief for us,’ said Ravenscroft removing the item from his pocket, and passing it over to the governess.
    ‘Yes, it is Mildred’s. There is the letter “M” that I embroidered on it. Where did you find it?’ asked the governess with a look of alarm.
    ‘One of my men recovered it from the canal this morning.’
    ‘Oh my God! No!’ cried out the governess.
    ‘Do not distress yourself, Miss Petterson. No body has been recovered from the canal. Can you confirm that Miss Chilton was in possession of this handkerchief on the day she disappeared ?’
    ‘Yes, yes. I am sure.’
    ‘Then it seems highly likely that your charge was taken from the churchyard, by a person or persons unknown, along the path that leads