"And a German," said Bundle. "You've forgotten the German."
"Oh!" said Jimmy slowly. "You think—"
"The absent No. 2 is Bauer—our footman. That seems to me quite clear from what they said about expecting a report which hadn't come in—though what there can be to report about Chimneys, I can't think."
"It must be something to do with Gerry Wade's death," said Jimmy. "There's something there we haven't fathomed yet. You say they actually mentioned Bauer by name?"
Bundle nodded.
"They blamed him for not having found that letter."
"Well, I don't see what you could have clearer than that. There's no going against it. You'll have to forgive my first incredulity, Bundle—but you know, it was rather a tall story. You say they knew about my going down to Wyvern Abbey next week?"
"Yes, that's when the American—it was him, not the Russian—said they needn't worry—you were only the usual kind of ass."
"Ah!" said Jimmy. He pressed his foot down on the accelerator viciously and the car shot forward. "I'm very glad you told me that. It gives me what you might call a personal interest in the case."
He was silent for a minute or two and then he said: