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Chapter 9
Everyseasideresorthasthem.”
Ishookmyhead.“It’sgottobemoreretiredthanthat,”Isaid.
“Well,gentlemen,Ican’tthinkofanywhereelse.Ofcourse,there’stheRuff—”
“What’sthat?”Iasked.
“ThebigchalkheadlandinKent,closetoBradgate.It’sgotalotofvillasonthetop,andsomeofthehouseshavestaircasesdowntoaprivatebeach.It’saveryhigh-tonedsortofplace,andtheresidentsthereliketokeepbythemselves.”
ItoreopentheTideTablesandfoundBradgate.Hightidetherewasat10.27p.m.onthe15thofJune.
“We’reonthescentatlast,”Icriedexcitedly.“HowcanIfindoutwhatisthetideattheRuff?”
“Icantellyouthat,sir,”saidthecoastguardman.“Ioncewaslentahousethereinthisverymonth,andIusedtogooutatnighttothedeep-seafishing.Thetide’stenminutesbeforeBradgate.”
Iclosedthebookandlookedroundatthecompany.
“Ifoneofthosestaircaseshasthirty-ninestepswehavesolvedthemystery,gentlemen,”Isaid.“Iwanttheloanofyourcar,SirWalter,andamapoftheroads.IfMrMacGillivraywillsparemetenminutes,Ithinkwecanpreparesomethingfortomorrow.”
Itwasridiculousinmetotakechargeofthebusinesslikethis,buttheydidn’tseemtomind,andafterallIhadbeenintheshowfromthestart.Besides,Iwasusedtoroughjobs,andtheseeminentgentlemenweretooclevernottoseeit.ItwasGeneralRoyerwhogavememycommission.“Iforone,”hesaid,“amcontenttoleavethematterinMrHannay’shands
