Murder at the Gallop

Miss Marple and Mr Stringer solicit donations for The Reformed Criminals Assistance League and visit Mr Enderby at his home. Enderby tumbles down the long entrance staircase, apparently dying of a heart attack. Miss Marple notes a lurking fear of cats and spots a cat inside the house, a sign that something may not be natural about the death.

In Enderby's house Miss Marple finds a cat and a muddy footprint that matches a riding boot. Inspector Craddock is sceptical and dismisses the possibility of murder without a clear motive. The combination of animal presence and muddy prints convinces Marple that Enderby's death might be foul play.

The will is read and four beneficiaries are named, each receiving an equal share. Cora Lansquenet openly claims that Enderby was murdered. The others offer little help, and Miss Marple senses tensions simmering beneath polite appearances.

The next day Miss Marple visits Cora and discovers her dead, stabbed in the back with a hatpin. Cora's longtime companion Miss Milchrest is present but cannot provide useful information. The murder deepens the mystery and raises the stakes for Miss Marple's investigation.

Miss Marple becomes a guest at the Gallop Hotel, run by Hector Enderby, while the other heirs and Miss Milchrest stay there. Inspector Craddock questions the group, but none can produce a watertight alibi for the time of Cora's death. The hotel setting provides a focal point for the unfolding suspicion.

An attempt is made to do away with Miss Marple, but the intended victim survives, unaware of the danger. The incident confirms that someone fears discovery and is willing to take lethal action. Marple remains undeterred and continues her inquiry.

The mud print embedded in Enderby’s house is traced to George Crossfield's riding boot, tying him to the investigation. Marple also learns that each heir visited Enderby the day of his death to ask for money, which weakens Crossfield's direct link to the murder. Crossfield, having uncovered the killer’s identity, is nevertheless killed soon after in a stall by an excitable horse.

George Crossfield is found dead after being trampled in a horse stall, a consequence of attracting an indignant horse. His death removes the only potential intermediary who might have named the killer publicly. The combination of muddy boot evidence and Crossfield's demise narrows the field but leaves Miss Marple with no conclusive proof.

With many alibis and the muddy footprint puzzle, Marple deduces the killer's identity and motive but lacks definitive proof to confront them. She begins to arrange a trap to reveal the truth in a controlled setting. This phase heightens the tension as the murderer fears exposure.

Marple feigns a heart attack during a dance at the hotel, inviting Miss Milchrest to a private room and diverting the killer’s attention. The police doctor isolates Marple for safety, enabling her plan to proceed unseen. Milchrest makes one more attempt to silence her, unaware that Marple is prepared.

Milchrest confesses that her motive was tied to a painting formerly deemed worthless but actually valuable, owned by Cora. The painting's true value explains her actions and ties together the motive for the earlier murder. Miss Marple’s trap forces Milchrest to reveal the truth.

After the murderer is unmasked, Hector Enderby proposes marriage to Miss Marple, but she declines, maintaining her independence. She also expresses distaste for blood sports as he reveals his fox-hunting enthusiasm. He mutters, 'That was a narrow escape,' acknowledging the close call with exposure.