‘That would be it,’ Tanner agreed. ‘He went out to the Abbey, but when he reached it there was no one there and he had his journey for nothing. Someone had hoaxed him properly.’
‘Bless us all!’ ejaculated the butler. ‘You don’t say?’
‘Mr Ponson asked me when I was here to look into the thing for him and I did. I found some footsteps there that might give a clue, but the worst of it is I don’t know whether they weren’t made by himself. Maybe, Mr Lewis, you would help me there. I would be much obliged, I’m sure.’
‘Certainly, Mr Tanner. I’d be pleased if you’d tell me how.’
‘All I want is to see the shoes Mr Ponson wore on Wednesday night, so as I can compare them with the prints.’
The butler’s face fell.
‘That’s just the one thing I can’t do,’ he answered. ‘They’re not here. I missed them on Friday, and told Mr Austin. He said they were not comfortable, and he had sent them to be stretched.’
‘They were new, then?’
‘Yes, he got them in town on Monday.’
‘It was curious he should wear them that night if they weren’t comfortable.’