‘That is my own view,’ Tanner returned. ‘I suppose there’s nothing to be done now but wait for information?’
‘I think we’ll hear something before long. If you haven’t had a meal, I should get it while you have the chance. The Dartmoor Arms, a few doors away, is quite good, and I’ll send for you if there is news.’
As this seemed sound advice, Tanner followed it. But he had not finished his hastily served dinner when he was sent for. News had come in.
‘I have a wire from the Tavistock men,’ the Superintendent explained. ‘A car answering your description has just been found abandoned in a lane about quarter of a mile on the Yelverton side of Tavistock. Evidently your man wouldn’t risk taking it through the town.’
‘Then he must be there himself.’
‘Unless he got away by rail. What time did you say he left Yelverton?’
‘About quarter-past four, or slightly later.’
‘From Yelverton to Tavistock is not more than about five miles. He would do it easily in fifteen minutes. Say he would reach Tavistock between half past four and quarter to five.’ The Superintendent picked up a Bradshaw. ‘Here we are. By the Great Western there’s a 5.27 for Plymouth and a 6.02 for Launceston. Now for the South-Western. There’s a 5.22, and a 7.50 for Exeter. He’s gone either by that 5.27 to Plymouth or the 5.22 to Exeter, and I should say the latter.’
‘It seems likely. Would your men have reached the stations before those trains left?’
The Superintendent shook his head.