Herbert beamed at his perplexity.
‘I’ll tell you the story,’ he said. ‘I can see you’re a bit took back and I don’t blame you. I was myself when I first opened this suitcase. I was put on to Sir Matthew Pearing by Miss Pleyell, who got to know of me through my young lady. “Just keep an eye on Sir Matthew,” she said. Naturally I asked her in what way and she said she didn’t know, but she thought there was something definitely mysterious about him. Those were her very words, sir; “definitely mysterious”.’
Campion groaned silently and Herbert continued.
‘Well, I kept an eye on the gentleman,’ he said, folding his hands on his waistcoat. ‘And what did I find? Nothing at all for a long time. That Sir Matthew’s a sly bird. For weeks he went on living a most regular life with his servants as s
