“What’s the good? One of us is enough. I might as well stay here and nose round a bit longer. Something might turn up. One never knows.”
“Sure thing. Well, so long. I’ll be back in a couple of shakes with a few inspectors along. I shall tell them to pick out their brightest and best.”
But the course of events was not to follow the plan Julius had laid down. Later in the day Tommy received a wire:
“Join me Manchester Midland Hotel. Important news— Julius .”
At 7:30 that night Tommy alighted from a slow cross-country train. Julius was on the platform.
“Thought you’d come by this train if you weren’t out when my wire arrived.”
Tommy grasped him by the arm.
“What is it? Is Tuppence found?”
Julius shook his head.
“No. But I found this waiting in London. Just arrived.”
He handed the telegraph form to the other. Tommy’s eyes opened as he read:
“Jane Finn found. Come Manchester Midland Hotel immediately— Peel Edgerton .”
Julius took the form back and folded it up.
“Queer,” he said thoughtfully. “I thought that lawyer chap had quit!”