“There is no one of that name here, Madam.”
“Oh! surely. This is Doctor Horriston’s place, The Grange, is it not?”
“Yes, Madam, but there is nobody of the name of Mrs. Leigh Gordon here.”
Baffled, Tuppence was forced to withdraw and hold a further consultation with Tommy outside the gate.
“Perhaps he was speaking the truth. After all, we don’t know .”
“He wasn’t. He was lying. I’m sure of it.”
“Wait until the doctor comes back,” said Tommy. “Then I’ll pass myself off as a journalist anxious to discuss his new system of rest cure with him. That will give me a chance of getting inside and studying the geography of the place.”
The doctor returned about half an hour later. Tommy gave him about five minutes, then he in turn marched up to the front door. But he too returned baffled.
“The doctor was engaged and couldn’t be disturbed. And he never sees journalists. Tuppence, you’re right. There’s something fishy about this place. It’s ideally situated—miles from anywhere. Any mortal thing could go on here, and no one would ever know.”
“Come on,” said Tuppence, with determination.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to climb over the wall and see if I can’t get up to the house quietly without being seen.”
“Right. I’m with you.”