But I suppose I shall have to fall back upon Stevens as usual. He’ll be getting some funny ideas in his head soon about me—first a blue-nosed automatic—and now skeleton keys. He’ll think I’ve joined the criminal classes.”
“Jimmy?” said Bundle.
“Yes?”
“Look here—be careful, won’t you? I mean if Sir Oswald finds you nosing around with skeleton keys—well, I should think he could be very unpleasant when he likes.”
“Young man of pleasing appearance in the dock! All right, I’ll be careful. Pongo’s the fellow I’m really frightened of. He sneaks around so on those flat feet of his. You never hear him coming. And he always did have a genius for poking his nose in where he wasn’t wanted. But trust to the boy hero.”
“Well, I wish Loraine and I were going to be there to look after you.”
“Thank you, nurse. As a matter of fact, though, I have a scheme.”
“Yes?”
“Do you think you and Loraine might have a convenient car breakdown near Letherbury tomorrow morning? It’s not so very far from you, is it.”
“Forty miles. That’s nothing.”
“I thought it wouldn’t be—to you! Don’t kill Loraine though. I’m rather fond of Loraine. All right, then—somewhere round about quarter to half-past twelve.”
“So that they invite us to lunch?”