"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. 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 to-morrow 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?" "That's the idea. I say, Bundle, I ran into that girl Socks yesterday and what do you think--Terence O'Rourke is going to be down there this week-end!" "Jimmy, do you think he--" "Well--suspect everyone, you know. That's what they say. He's a wild lad, and daring as they make them. I wouldn't put it past him to run a secret society. He and the Countess might be in this together. He was out in Hungary last year." "But he could pinch the formula any time." "That's just what he couldn't. He'd have to do it under circumstances where he couldn't be suspected. But the retreat up the ivy and into his own bed--well, that would be rather neat. Now for instructions. After a few polite nothings to Lady Coote, you and Loraine are to get hold of Pongo and O'Rourke by hook or by crook and keep them occupied till lunch time. See? It oughtn't to be difficult for a couple of beautiful girls like you." "You're using the best butter, I see." "A plain statement of fact." "Well, at any rate, your instructions are duly noted. Do you want to talk to Loraine now?" Bundle passed over the receiver and tactfully left the room. CHAPTER XXVII NOCTURNAL ADVENTURE