"It is very kind of you, Stephen, but I don't want innumerable lives of her. I merely wish to replace the copy that was burnt. And I think that the person who wantonly destroyed it is the person who ought to replace it."
"I am not that person, but I am in a very sunny mood, and I will replace it," said Stephen.
"Indeed, you shall do no such thing!" Joseph said. "We can't have him wasting his money like that, can we, my dear? No, I think if you very much want it I shall have to charge myself with procuring you a copy. You shall have it for your birthday! How will that be?"
"Thank you, Joseph, but my birthday is not until April, as you are very well aware, and I want the book now," Maud replied. "I shall write to Bodmin's, and describe what the book looked like, and I daresay they will know the one I mean."
Joseph patted her hand. "But, my dear, surely it was quite an old book? I'm afraid you are likely to find that it has been out of print for some years. I can see I shall have to prowl round second-hand bookshops on your behalf. Only be patient, and you shall have it, if I can possibly manage it! I shouldn't worry about writing to Bodmin's, if I were you: I'm quite sure they won't be able to supply it."
As Maud showed a tendency to argue the point, mid he was already bored by the whole subject, Stcphcu lounged out of the room, just in time to meet Inspector Hemingway, coming away from the telephone-room. The Inspector's eyes were bright with triumph, a circumstance which Stephen at once noticed. Stephen said: "You look remarkably pleased with yourself, Inspector. Found a valuable clue?"
"The trouble with you, sir, is that you want to know too much," said Hemingway severely. "If you're looking for Miss Clare, she went upstairs a couple of minutes ago."
"Don't get waggish with me, I implore you! My temper isn't proof against that kind of badinage. I am not looking for Miss Clare. I am escaping from the Empress of Austria."
The Inspector smiled. "What, you aren't going to tell me she's got lost again?"
"No; but in her present condition she's of no use to my aunt, and as my aunt cannot recall the name of her author, we have now reached an impasse, discussion of which will very shortly clear this house of its guests. Of course, if you were any good as a detective, you would have discovered by this time who cast the Empress to the flames."