Barnaby and Troy drive to the Talbot home. There, Marcus says, "My sister Arabella is in the 6th form at Devington, sir, and she and Daniel were, well, an item. You know, seeing each other. It didn't seem important until I heard that you'd arrested Paul Starkey. He was always pestering Arabella, hanging round the Annexe and so on. He was sort of stalking her. Barnaby asks, "Marcus, do you know someone called Dave Winch? I believe he works in the school kitchens." Marcus says no. He also denies going to the Chalk and Gown. The Chalk and Gown is strictly out of bounds.

John Nettles manages to bring warmth to Barnaby despite the severity of his questioning and the seriousness of the case. Sometime later, Julia puts flowers on Daniel's grave. Miranda sees her. "Don't go. You were Daniel's friend, weren't you? I'm pleased to meet you at last. What's your name?" Julia says, "Julia. I'd better go." Miranda says, "You don't have to. Stay for a bit." Julia says, "Alright." The motive for the killings are agreed on the far-fetched side. Wished they would have been a lot stronger for a good case like this. Barnaby tells Troy to ask Paul about Arabella Heywood, Marcus Heywood's sister. Ask whether he knows her and how well, but don't make a big thing of it. Barnaby and Troy go to the Chalk and Gown pub. Mrs. Bosworth is there with Martin Fulmer, who is in charge of sports at the school. Troy notices the knives at the bar- the same as the knife that stabbed Daniel Talbot. Barnaby and Troy ask to speak to Paul, but his father says he is not there. As they leave the pub, Paul drives up on his motorbike.Season 5 has been a strong one, with "Ring Out Your Dead" especially being classic 'Midsomer Murders' and even the weakest "A Worm in the Bud" is still very good. None of the episodes from the fifth season reached bad level, like the previous season's "The Electric Vendetta". The story, with the odd spot of suitable grimness and creepiness (like with the second murder that had an eerie build-up), is hugely compelling, and never simplistic and never losing any of the maturity of most of the previous episodes. There is a lot going on mostly without being cluttered or rushed (remarkable for an episode that as ever is heavy in exposition), and that nothing is what it seems, or very few people are who they seem adds to the complexity, while there are no out of kilter scenes. The twists, red herrings and turns keep coming, and rarely in an obvious or press-the-rewind button. The characters are colourful, eccentric and not what they seem. Come on, Marcus. Don't be a bad loser," says Charlie. Marcus says, "Sorry, what have I lost?" Charlie replies, "Now that Daniel's gone, I'm the one. You thought you'd get the scholarship, but I'm afraid it's going to be me now. Anthony Talbot's as good as told me." Marcus says, "You're wrong. And take your hands off my sister." Charlie says, "Actually, I rather think she's got her hands on me." Marcus and Charlie start fighting.

There are times as well when the story gets too naive or childish with the very convenient glove/clue at the door and with leaving a potential witness to a murder alive... Two more murders follow as Barnaby and Troy dig to find out what all these people are hiding, who met Daniel and killed him while he was racing, why did he wander off his route during the race, and why is everyone in the Pudding Club so uptight? Very good mystery with an unexpected ending, one of the better ones in the series. These stories tend to be complicated and require one to focus - it's not easy, mindless entertainment, and I like that about them. For some reason, I've always been partial to Barnaby's first partner, Troy, and it's easy to see why in this episode. He's delightful and very attractive. Barnaby and Troy go to the pub and can hear the pudding club boys celebrating Charlie's admission to the pudding club upstairs. Dudley tells Barnaby that the Pudding Club is all about money. The acquisition of wealth. That's the true purpose of the Pudding Club. Diplomats enjoy many privileges- Immunity, freedom of movement, diplomatic bag. Sir Walter's health had been deteriorating and with it his influence over the school. And a struggle for control of the Pudding Club has been raging. Archie Bellingham was a victim of that struggle. As was poor Daniel. Then, when Dudley finds out that Barnaby was at the race, he says he can't trust him anymore and tells him to leave. Troy says, "I've just been talking to Charlie Meynell. Apparently, Marcus Heywood has gone missing." Barnaby and Troy talk to Arabella. They find out that Marcus is hiding in Arabella's room.The next day boys from the school are romping around and swimming in the lake. Suddenly, a dead body pops up from the water. ( Thunder peels) The police carry the statues and treasures out of the school. Barnaby says, "Charlie Meynell was right. The Pudding Club. He said they were like kids in a gang. In the end it wasn't about money, it was about who was in and who was out. Who was the leader. Who was top dog." Troy shakes his head. He says, "School. Supposed to be the happiest days of your life." Barnaby says, "That's what they say, Troy." Troy says, "I never did get that." They see the sign saying "Keep Off the Grass." They walk on the grass...