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“There is one behind the west linen cupboard which runs down towards the older servants’ staircase. Another branch passes behind the library and study, though I have not been through it in years.”
“Do any pass near the billiard room?”
“Part of the lower passage runs beneath it.”
“A passage runs beneath the same billiard room in which Pembroke discussed securing roads, bridges and approaches?” Baines asked.
“Yes.”
“And from which conversation remarkably similar language escaped into print.”
Judith sat back against the sofa. “We should search it tonight.”
“We shall. Since I have been ordered to take you with me, for once your disregard for sensible restrictions has received official sanction.”
“Colonel Renforth ordered you to take me?”
“He said you were to assist me.”
Her smile widened. “A wise man.”
“I shall be certain not to tell him. He has a reputation to preserve.”
The spaniel nearer to Baines stirred, stretched luxuriously and resettled himself against Judith’s hip. His companion remained sprawled on her other side with his nose buried beneath one paw, thereby occupying every inch of available sofa which Baines might reasonably have claimed.
He regarded them.
Judith noticed. “What do you see?”
“Nothing. I am merely assessing the tactical situation.”
“The dogs are asleep.”
“That is the tactical situation.”
He bent and slipped one hand beneath the first spaniel, which opened both eyes and regarded him with the affront of an elderly peer removed from his favourite chair at White’s.
“Come along, Horatio. You have monopolized Miss Finch long enough.”
“Baines…”
“I have crossed France under fire. I refuse to be defeated by two stone of spaniel.”
“He bites.”
Baines paused.
Judith’s eyes gleamed.
“You might have mentioned that before I put my hand beneath him.”
“He does not bite very hard.”
“That is an astonishingly inadequate reassurance.”
Nevertheless, he lifted the animal, which responded with a low grumble of protest, and deposited him upon the carpet. The second dog awoke, discovered himself suddenly without his companion, and made the mistake of looking at Baines.
“You as well.”
