“No, he didn’t,” confessed Lord Caterham. “But then he may have been off his game. I see the theory all right and I think there’s a lot in it. Ah! Did you see that one, Bundle? Right over the rhododendrons. A perfect shot. Ah! If one could be sure of doing that every time—Yes, Tredwell, what is it?”
Tredwell addressed Bundle.
“ Mr. Thesiger would like to speak to you on the telephone, my lady.”
Bundle set off at full speed for the house, yelling “Loraine, Loraine,” as she did so. Loraine joined her just as she was lifting the receiver.
“Hallo, is that you, Jimmy?”
“Hallo. How are you?”
“Very fit, but a bit bored.”
“How’s Loraine?”
“She’s all right. She’s here. Do you want to speak to her?”
“In a minute. I’ve got a lot to say. To begin with, I’m going down to the Cootes for the weekend,” he said significantly. “Now, look here, Bundle, you don’t know how one gets hold of skeleton keys, do you?”
“Haven’t the foggiest. Is it really necessary to take skeleton keys to the Cootes?”
“Well, I had a sort of idea they’d come in handy. You don’t know the sort of shop one gets them at?”
“What you want is a kindly burglar friend to show you the ropes.”
“I do, Bundle, I do. And unfortunately I haven’t got one. I thought perhaps your bright brain might grapple successfully with the problem.