Free The Coffin Lane Murders by Alanna Knight

concealed from the road by high walls and a large number of trees.
    The gardens were extensive. Pleasant lawns with magnificent views over the Pentland Hills suggested a harmonious setting for summer afternoon teas under shady trees.
    The vestibule where they waited to be received by the matron was refreshingly ordinary and not much different at first glance from the threshold of any family mansion.
    The matron greeted Conan affably, like an old friend. 'Good to see you, Dr Pursley. I'm afraid Lady Celia isn't here at the moment-'
    Interrupted by Conan who introduced Inspector Faro, the matron had the unlikely name of Miss Smiles, which fitted her pleasant cheerful countenance, comfortable figure and warm handshake.
    She turned back to Conan. 'She isn't in her room, Doctor, so I'm afraid there will be no pleasant afternoon walk for her today.'
    'Where is she?' asked Conan.
    'Oh dear!' The smiling face turned grave. 'We really don't know, exactly. I'm afraid she went out on one of her usual expeditions and failed to return.'
    'When was this?'
    'I'm not sure for certain - perhaps two or three days ago,' was the unhappy response.
    There was an explosion of anger from Conan. 'All that time you knew one of your patients was missing and you did nothing.' He gave Faro a helpless look.
    'Is this important, Inspector?' Miss Smiles addressed Faro, her worried expression confirmation of the gravity of his visit. Without awaiting his response, she nodded. 'I see. Dr Pursley comes in regularly,' she said. 'He called in on Monday, just after she had left.' Turning to him reproachfully, she added, 'You were informed then that she had gone out.'
    'Of course. I remember now.'
    'On her own?' queried Faro.
    'Yes.'
    'I find that somewhat surprising. Is it usual?' demanded Faro of Conan.
    'Let me explain,' said Conan wearily. 'Celia wasn't in her room when I went upstairs. On a fine day we walk in the grounds together. I talk to her, get her to talk to me - about the past. That's the best possible treatment-'
    'Dr Pursley's treatment has been excellent,' the matron interrupted and turning to him she said gently, 'You know quite well, Doctor, we have instructions from you in the matter, that she is on no account to be made to feel like a prisoner. That to be kept locked up, under restraint, could completely destroy all your progress with her.'
    And turning to Faro, 'May I be told what all this is about, Inspector? Has she stolen something again?'
    'Again!'
    At his puzzled exclamation, she nodded. 'She can be rather light-fingered from time to time. Occasionally she sees something in a shop and brings it back with her, forgetting, of course, that such items must be paid for. Rest assured, if there has been a complaint to you, the shopkeeper will be reimbursed by us.'
    'It is more serious than that, Miss Smiles,' interrupted Conan. 'She has - attacked passers-by,' he ended lamely.
    Miss Smiles frowned. 'How extraordinary. She has not shown any symptoms of violence all the years she has been with us-' Pausing she frowned. 'Except for one small incident in the kitchen - over a burnt roast - when she attacked a fellow patient with a knife. That was some time ago; since then, nothing. In fact, she has become a model patient under Dr Pursley's care.'
    She smiled at him. 'Indeed yes, a trusted member of our little community.' And to Faro: 'As Dr Pursley has perhaps told you, she has been well educated.'
    'That is so,' Conan explained. 'Celia comes of a titled family although they would not care to admit that she exists any more, the punishment for throwing herself into the lake with her newborn child. The baby drowned and when she was dragged out she tried to murder one of her kinsman, so a trust fund was set up to pay the fees for her residence as far away as possible. When she was admitted to Summerhill as a patient, they were careful to give out publicly that she had died of typhoid while on holiday in Italy and because of the strict measures regarding