“It came about over a book which Kathleen had given her some years ago, and which most assuredly would have been lost but for my carefulness.”
Jimmy cursed her “carefulness” under his breath.
“When we moved here after the death of Kathleen’s poor father I had a great number of things stored. There were amongst these an immense quantity of books, which Kathleen would have sold, but which I thought——”
“Where are these stored?” asked Angel quickly.
“At an old property of ours—the only property that my poor brother had remaining,” she replied sadly, “and that because it was in too dilapidated a condition to attract buyers.”
“Where, where?” Angel realized the rudeness of his impatience. “Forgive me, madam,” he said, “but it is absolutely necessary that I should follow your niece at once.”
“It is on the Tonbridge Road,” she answered stiffly. “So far as I can remember, it is somewhere between Crawley and Tonbridge, but I am not sure. Kathleen knows the place well; that is why she has gone.”
“Somewhere on the Tonbridge Road!” repeated Angel helplessly.
“We could follow the car’s tracks,” said Jimmy.
Angel shook his head.