That afternoon he went to Westminster, and asked for Professor Stepton.
"He is away, sir," said the fair Scotch parlormaid.
"For long?"
"We don't know, sir. He has gone into Kent, on research business, I believe."
Agnes had been for a long time in the professor's service, and was greatly trusted. The professor had come upon her originally when making investigations into "second sight," a faculty which she claimed to possess. By the way she was also an efficient parlor-maid.
"Kent!" said Malling. "Do you know where he is staying?"
"The address he left is the Tankerton Hotel, Tankerton, near
Whitstable-on-Sea, sir."
"Thank you, Agnes," said Malling.
"It is a haunted house somewhere Birchington way the professor is after,
I believe, sir."
"Luck favors me!" said Malling to himself, unscientifically, as he walked away from the house.