164 ANGLING SKETCHES 



looking at it when Miss Breton and I saw you, 

 •and you didn't notice us. Does Thomas know 

 when — I mean about what o'clock — the book was 

 first missed ? ' 



' That's the lucky part of the whole worry,' 

 said Allen. ' I left the rooms at three exactly, 

 and it was missed about ten minutes to four ; 

 dozens of people must have handled it in that 

 interval of time. So interesting a book ! ' 



' But,' I said, and paused — ' are you sure your 

 watch was right ? ' 



' Quite certain ; besides, I looked at a church 

 clock. Why on earth do you ask ? ' 



' Because —I am awfully sorry — there is some 

 unlucky muddle ; but it was exactly a quarter, or 

 perhaps seventeen minutes, to four when both 

 Miss Breton and I saw you absorbed in the 

 Loiigepierre;' 



' Oh, it's quite impossible^ Allen answered ; ' I 

 was far enough away from Blocksby's at a quarter 

 to four." 



' That's all right,' I Said. ' Of course you can 

 prove that, if it is necessary ; though I dare- say 



