“Excellent, Miss Stuart. Perhaps we could hire a car in the village?”
“The local taxi man is reliable, Mr Pons. As you know he is to be found at the railway station most days.”
Our client’s eyes were fixed upon my companion’s face with great intensity.
“What is your plan, Mr Pons?”
Solar Pons had taken an envelope from his pocket and was scribbling something on the back of it with great vigour.
“I wish to insert the following advertisement in the Observer, Miss Stuart. Would I be in time for this evening’s edition?”
“You would if the advertisement is at the office by midday, Mr Pons. That would be early enough for the edition which is out by six o’clock. We get it locally a little after that, as our newsagent collects it from the train.”
“I see. It is a great impertinence, Miss Stuart, but I wish to insert the following announcement. I would be glad of your co-operation.”
Miss Stuart glanced at the paper Pons handed her and gave a start of surprise.
“It is extraordinary, Mr Pons. I am in complete agreement, of course, but I do not know what Mother would say.”
Solar Pons chuckled.
“She is away, fortunately, my dear young lady. Let us just get Parker’s opinion.”
Miss Stuart handed the envelope to me and I read Pons’ announcement with increasing bewilderment. It was headed RARE BOOKS and ran: CLERGYMAN’S LIBRARY for sale. Rare, ecclesiastical and other books at reasonable prices. View any time without appointment. Stuart, The Old Rectory, Grassington, Surrey.
I looked up at my companion.
“Extraordinary, Pons.”
“Is it not, Parker. Yet I feel this might be just the item to tempt our friend.”
Miss Stuart’s eyes were sparkling.
“You think the man who broke in might read this and visit here openly in the guise of a rare book dealer or purchaser?”
“Exactly. Miss Stuart. I must force his hand. He must be desperate by this time and will probably grasp at what he would consider a golden opportunity. We cannot just sit here for the next few weeks hoping he might attempt to break in again.”
“Of course not, Mr Pons. You certainly have my permission.”
“Thank you, Miss Stuart. I would like you and your housekeeper to remain here all the time, of course, and Parker will be on hand. You must explain that no list has been prepared and let people browse around the study shelves as they wish. Most will be genuine bibliophiles so you need fear no attempts at pilfering.”
“But suppose someone steals that Bible, Pons?” I asked.
“That is exactly what I wish them to do, Parker,” said Solar Pons. “And to that purpose I shall replace that slip of paper exactly as you found it just as soon as we have finished breakfast. I must also consult the bound files when we visit the newspaper office. They would have records there. Miss Stuart?”
“Certainly, Mr Pons. It is a large office.”
“Excellent.”
Solar Pons glanced at his watch.
“We have much to do his morning, Parker. I would be obliged if you would arrange for a taxi to take us to Godalming. In the meantime I must ring Bancroft at the Foreign Office. And Jamison also.”
“What on earth for, Pons?”
Solar Pons smiled enigmatically.
“To put one or two small inquiries afoot, Parker. This ghost of the Rectory, as Miss Stuart calls him, has created a good deal of terror. Now we must close the net around him.”
7
It was indeed, as Pons had hinted, a busy morning. We drove swiftly to Godalming where Pons spent an hour closeted at the newspaper office. After placing his advertisement he was shown to a small glassed-in office where the bound files of the journal were kept. I left him there to buy one or two items for my comfort, for I did not know how long we were likely to be at Grassington, and when I returned some time later I found him in fine fettle.
He rubbed his thin hands together in satisfaction, his deep-set eyes blazing with excitement.
“There you are, Parker. I was not far wrong in my assessment.”
I followed his pointing forefinger to the news item he indicated in the musty volume of 1912 open before him. It was headed:
THIEVES STEAL FORTUNE FROM CRESSWELL MANOR. £100,000 GOLD AND SILVER TAKEN.
I read the article with increasing interest. It went into great detail and itemised the valuables stolen with considerable exactitude. There was no doubt in my mind as I finished the account that the missing articles were those Pons had recovered from the church vault the previous night.
“Ten years ago, Pons. It does not say who was responsible for the theft.”
Solar Pons looked at me mockingly.
“That was too much to hope for, Parker. I have been through the subsequent issues with great care but apart from items in the police inquiries, there is nothing. But then I did not expect it.”
His quizzical eyes were turned fully toward me.
“And there would be little on which to stretch my peculiar talents, Parker.”
“Perhaps not, Pons, but it would have been helpful, nevertheless.”
Solar Pons laughed shortly, folding his sheaf of notes and putting them in his pocket.
“You were ever practical, Parker. But I have a few ideas up my sleeve. We must not forget the sight which caused Miss Stuart’s father to drop dead of shock.”
I looked at my companion in amazement.
“You think that is connected with these events. Pons?”
“Undoubtedly, Parker. It was what drew my attention to a number of significant factors. But I am hoping that my calls to Inspector Jamison at Scotland Yard and to Brother Bancroft will produce something pertinent.”
He glanced up at the clock on the wall opposite.
“You must stay close to the Rectory from five o’clock onwards, Parker, if you would be so good.”
“Certainly, Pons, if you think it necessary.”
“It is vitally important. In fact, I would prefer you to deal with any visitors who may come to look at the books. Of course, our bait may not draw anyone this evening, but it is my experience that rare book collectors seldom miss such an opportunity. They usually descend in droves, sometimes within the hour of an advertisement appearing. I am relying on you, Parker.”
“You may count on me, Pons. What will you be doing this afternoon?”
“Well, when I have taken the calls I am expecting I shall be off on a short tour of the district. I have a mind to visit one or two of the gypsy encampments in the neighbourhood.”
“But you said that gypsies had nothing to do with it, Pons.”
“That is perfectly correct. And it is just because gypsies are not connected with the affair that I wish to visit the camps.”
I shrugged as Pons got up from the table.
“As you wish, Pons. But the matter still remains dark and impenetrable to me.”
Solar Pons put his hand on my shoulder.
“Do not say so, Parker. Just keep your eyes and ears open and I am sure all will become clear before long.”
His face became more grave.
“I must urge upon you, Parker, the seriousness of this business. The man who is after this fortune is ruthless and cunning. He will not become dangerous unless thwarted. Whoever calls this evening — whatever your suspicions — I must impress upon you the paramount importance of not giving him any inkling that his purposes are known.”
“I understand, Pons. I must just give people the run of the library. But supposing our man takes that piece of paper from the Bible?”
Solar Pons shook his head impatiently.