Helen said: "Oh, Sally, if only I could! But how? They aren't in his desk -'
"How do you know?" asked Sally swiftly.
"Why, I - something Ernie said," faltered Helen.
"I shouldn't set much store by anything he said. Of course, they may be in a safe, but we'll hope he didn't go in for safes. Neville, this is your job."
Neville opened his eyes. Having surveyed both sisters in his peculiarly dreamy way, he dragged himself out of his chair, and wandered over to the table where the cigarette-box stood. He selected and lit one, produced his own empty case, and proceeded to fill it. "All this excitement," he said softly, "has gone to your head."
"Oh no, it hasn't! You're staying in the house; you said you'd help Helen. You can jolly well find those IOUs before Scotland Yard gets on to the case."
"Scotland Yard!" gasped Helen.
"Yes, I should think almost certainly," replied Sally. "This is the Metropolitan area, you know. They'll probably send a man down to investigate. Neville, are you willing to take a chance?"
"No, darling," he replied, fitting the last cigarette into his case.
"You would fast enough if they were your IOUs!"