I asked her very seriously if she knew anything of Dorice.
Miss Giggleswick thought I was referring to some new authoress.
"Yes—yes," she said thoughtfully, "I must have read some of them, but I can't remember which ones—I'm so silly about names."
After a time I pulled myself together, and somehow escaped from Miss Giggleswick. I made my way to the cloakroom, grabbed my coat and bag, and rushed for the front door.
Once outside I ran for my life.
I ran down the drive and along the road towards Naughton.
I floundered on blindly through thick mud and pools of water.
"A fine night!" shouted a cheerful ass as I struggled past him.
I pulled up sharply and peered at him through the darkness.
"A fine night? Oh, yes, it's a fine night," I laughed wildly; "but just tell me one other thing. Is there any other hall in this district except Naughton Hall?"