Fortunately, Joan was able to supply some information.
“Maurice insured them, I know. But I’ve heard him say that he wasn’t content with the valuation put on them by the company. It seems they wouldn’t take his word for the value of the things—they thought it was a speculative one or something—and in case of a loss they weren’t prepared to go beyond a figure which Maurice thought too small.”
“The electros weren’t insured for any great amount, I suppose?”
Joan shook her head.
“I don’t think they were specially insured. They were just put under the ordinary house policy, I think. But you’d better ask Maurice. He knows all about it.”
Sir Clinton glanced round the room once more.
“I doubt if there’s much more to find out here,” he concluded. “It doesn’t give us much to go on, does it? Perhaps we’ll have better luck when these fellows come in from their hunt. They may have some news for us. But as things stand, we can’t even be sure whether it was two men or two gangs that were at work. One can’t blame Mold for not giving us better information; but what he gave us doesn’t seem to amount to very much at present.”
He turned, as though to leave the room; but at that moment the door opened and Mold appeared.
“There’s a Mr. Foss wants to see you, sir. He says he’s got something to tell you that won’t wait. He’s been looking for you all over the house.”
“That’s the American, isn’t it?” Sir Clinton asked Joan in a low voice.