A Morris minor pulled into the side of the verge. In the fading light Betty Orchard, a very trim lady in her late sixties, checked her map again. She was sure she was close to her destination; her greatest fear was to miss the turning and then find herself completely lost. It was all a great adventure; she had decided to sell up in the north of England and join her best friend in the village of Aston in the Cotswolds.

She calculated she needed to take the next turning on the left. As she indicated the beam of her headlights spilled over a signpost lying near the hedge. Presuming it to be important she got out to investigate. It was difficult to decide whether Aston was straight on or up a small road opposite. Betty decided to take the small road. Her terrier was barking furiously because of the new country smells. 'Be quiet Spike, we'll be there soon.'

Betty made her way carefully along the road. It appeared to be extremely narrow and she prayed no one would come the other way. After ten minutes she came to an abrupt halt; it was a dead end. A five-bar-gate blocked any further access. Betty's heart skipped a beat as she saw a huge cow bending over the fence and staring into her car. Spike went berserk. Betty got out of the car and looked around 'What shall I do now?' she exclaimed.

Turning she noticed something under the hedge opposite. Betty took out a small torch and shone the light in the direction of the bundle. She let out a small shriek as she realised it was a body.

Two hours later she was sitting with Nancy, her friend, and a burly policeman in her new cottage trying to explain exactly where she had found the body.

'Tell me Mrs Orchard, why did you follow the track and not keep to the main road?'

'Officer the signpost was down. How was I to know which way?'

'Did you know the man?'

'Excuse me?'

'Did you know the deceased?'

'Are you absurd?'

The policeman cleared his throat, 'I'll let myself out.'

Betty looked at Nancy 'What have I let myself in for?' she stared into the log fire for a moment; a smile crossed her face.

'What?' asked Nancy.

'Miss Marple!' she whispered 'I've always fancied myself as a sleuth.'