Jamaica Inn: Part 9: The Vicar of Altarnum?

Mary has gone to vicar's house. She wants to talk to him about the murder of her uncle but he's not there. But later he arrives and he has some important news to tell her. What can it be?

Mary narrating
I'm at the Vicar's house. I'm here because last night, when I returned to the inn, I found my uncle – dead... lying on the floor with a knife in his back. When Mr Bassat arrived with his men, they found my aunt's body upstairs... she'd also been stabbed.

The vicar suggested I stay with him. He came to the inn as soon as he read my note. He's not here. He left before I woke up.

While I've been waiting for him, I've been thinking about who the killer could be. Mr Bassat asked me if I had an idea who it was. I told him I didn't... but that's not true... I remember how Jem told me that he hated his brother... so they'll catch and hang him... or else he'll ride away, laughing at me. Either way, I know that I love him.

Strange how this room is so empty... No books, no paintings... Not like the vicar's house in Helford where I lived with my mother... His living room had pictures of smiling angels and village scenes... and piles of books on the desk.

There's nothing on this desk. I know... I'll write and ask if I can stay with him. Now, where's a pen and paper? Ah... in this drawer perhaps. That's odd! Nothing in the drawer, wait, there is a piece of paper... oh but it's already got something on it... a picture – by the vicar --– his initials are there. What a strange picture.

It makes me shiver... It's the village church with the vicar and his congregation... but all the people have got sheep's heads and look stupid. The vicar has drawn himself as a wolf but not an ordinary wolf, a laughing wolf... What does it mean...? Oh no! He's back... quick! I shut the drawer quickly and sit by the fire. I'm shaking.

Mary
Oh, Vicar...

Vicar
Did I startle you? I'm sorry I was so long. My horse was lame. You must be hungry?

Mary narrating
I find it difficult to speak... The picture has shocked me. The vicar asks me to get the food from the kitchen. When I return, there are papers all over the desk. He's been burning letters.

Vicar
Don't you want to know what I've been doing today?

Mary
I'm sorry - I haven't thanked you for your kindness last night. If you hadn't taken me in, I wouldn't have had anywhere to stay.

Vicar
Well... I've been to North Hill. Mr Bassat invited me and others to discuss the murder.

Mary
Does Mr Bassat suspect anyone?

Vicar
They've found the man, Harry... He can't be the murderer though. He would have been a suspect if he hadn't been locked up in the room by the bar for the last few days. But he said that someone else gave your uncle orders. This person must be the murderer. Don't you agree?

Mary
Well... er... Yes, I suppose...

Vicar
It can't be one of the men. This person is clever. He must have come to the inn and he knows the moor well. He probably lives nearby. Did anyone like this come to the inn?

Mary
Er... no... I can't think... 

Vicar
Why do you look so anxious, Mary? But I forgot... I saw a friend of yours today at North Hill.

Mary
I have no friends except you...

Vicar
But you told me you went to Launceston with your uncle's brother...

Mary narrating
I froze... I didn't know what to say...

Vicar
He gave me a message for you. Tell her that "I'm sorry". I...

Mary
Jem was at North Hill? Why?

Vicar
Well, he's the dead man's brother. He wasn't upset, though...

Mary
Was Mr Bassat asking him questions?

Vicar
They've been talking all day. He's got brains - more than his brother. You told me he lives nearby, and steals horses?

Mary narrating
I can't look at him, but I feel his eyes studying my face... He knows the truth.

Mary
What will they do to him, Mr Davey?

Vicar
'Do'? What do you mean? I'm sure he won't be punished since he has helped them.

Mary
'Helped'? I don't understand.

Vicar
Mary, it was Jem who informed Mr Bassat about his own brother. They left Launceston together after the horse market. Mr Bassat told him he could go free if he gave them proof about his brother and he did.

Mary narrating
I can't believe it... I was so sure...

Mary
Oh, Vicar, I'm such a fool... Where is Jem now?

Vicar
He's gone to find the blacksmith... He found a nail in the field by the inn. It must belong to the killer's horse. Only one person went to the blacksmith yesterday...

Mary
How do you know?

Vicar
Because I know who that person was.

Mary narrating
His strange eyes are staring at me... I can't breathe! He knows who the murderer is!

Meet me in the next episode when I finally discover the shocking truth about who killed my aunt and uncle at Jamaica Inn. I am also in danger but who will come to my rescue?

Vocabulary

stabbed (to stab)
hurt with a knife

odd
strange

shiver
to shake from fear

congregation
a group of people who pray in a church or other religious place

startle
to surprise someone

lame
unable to walk properly (animal)

suspect
to think that a person has carried out a crime

informed (to inform)
given information about a person who has done something wrong

proof
information that shows that something is true

blacksmith
a person who makes and repairs horseshoes

nail
a thin pointed piece of metal used to fix something