Jem corroborated Bet. Grimethorpe had returned at about 1:50 a.m. on October 14th, drunk, and plastered with mud. He had muttered something about having run up against a man called Watson.
The ostler was next interrogated. He did not think that anybody could get a horse and trap out of the stable at night without his knowing it. He knew Watson. He was a carrier by trade, and lived in Windon Street. Lord Peter rewarded his informant suitably, and set out for Windon Street.
But the recital of his quest would be tedious. At a quarter past noon he joined Bunter at the Meribah memorial.
"Any luck?"
"I have secured certain information, my lord, which I have duly noted. Total expenditure on beer for self and witnesses 7s. 2d., my lord."
Lord Peter paid the 7s. 2d. without a word, and they adjourned to the "Rose and Crown." Being accommodated in a private parlor, and having ordered lunch, they proceeded to draw up the following schedule:
Grimethorpe's Movements.
Wednesday, October 13th to Thursday, October 14th.
| October 13th: | |
| 12:30 p.m. | Arrives "Rose and Crown." |
| 1:00 p.m. | Lunches. |
| 3:00 p.m. | Orders two drills from man called Gooch in Trimmer's Lane. |
| 4:30 p.m. | Drink with Gooch to clinch bargain. |
| 5:00 p.m. | Calls at house of John Watson, carrier, about delivering some dog-food. Watson absent. Mrs. Watson says W. expected back that night. G. says will call again. |
| 5:30 p.m. | Calls on Mark Dolby, grocer, to complain about some tinned salmon. |
| 5:45 p.m. | Calls on Mr. Hewitt, optician, to pay bill for spectacles and dispute the amount. |
| 6:00 p.m. | Drinks with Zedekiah Bone at "Bridge and Bottle." |
| 6:45 p.m. | Calls again on Mrs. Watson. Watson not yet home. |
| 7:00 p.m. | Seen by Constable Z15 drinking with several men at "Pig and Whistle." Heard to use threatening language with regard to some person unknown. |
| 7:20 p.m. | Seen to leave "Pig and Whistle" with two men (not yet identified). |
| October 14th: | |
| 1:15 a.m. | Picked up by Watson, carrier, about a mile out on road to Riddlesdale, very dirty and ill-tempered, and not quite sober. |
| 1:45 a.m. | Let into "Rose and Crown" by James Johnson, potman. |
| 9:00 a.m. | Called by Elizabeth Dobbin. |
| 9:30 a.m. | In Bar of "Rose and Crown." Hears of man murdered at Riddlesdale. Behaves suspiciously. |
| 10:15 a.m. | Cashes check £129 17s. 8d. at Lloyds Bank. |
| 10:30 a.m. | Pays Gooch for drills. |
| 11:50 a.m. | Leaves "Rose and Crown" for Grider's Hole. |
Lord Peter looked at this for a few minutes, and put his finger on the great gap of six hours after 7:20.