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She supposed that it was interesting enough But it was sadly lacking in books

Vale clearly knew his way around and led theh several e of stuffed animals, stuffed plants, and possibly stuffed mineral deposits (she didn’t have time to check) Next they hurried down another staircase and into an even more cluttered and confused set of corridors, which was clearly where work actually got done Crates were stacked against the walls,OPEN THIS TODAY The only things that weren’t dirty or dusty were the office doors’ brass nalea to cos

‘Here we are,’ Vale said, pausing before one which apparently belonged to Professor Amelia Betony, MSc, PhD, and Doctor of Divinity ‘This was the person to whom the crate was addressed Let’s see if we can eliminate this possibility’ He shoved the door open without bothering to knock

Inside, the low-ceilinged office was larger than expected The sh with unopened envelopes and packages, and the large table in the luepots andsolvent Then a youngof tea in his hand He stood there, blinking at the four of the forward briskly ‘Professor Betony’s secretary?’

The young nition ‘Ah, I’ypt expedition, if you anting to consult her over a case – ’

‘Fortunately, I believe that you will suffice, Mr Ramsbottom,’ Vale said ‘We are here to look into the lanced guiltily at the stacks of inco for a crate from Lord Wyndham,’ Vale said To his side, Irene could see Kai tense with excitelare of anticipation that was probably unnerving the nervous-looking fellow ‘It would have been delivered about five days ago’

Was it really that short a time since Wyndham’s death, since Irene and Kai had arrived here? It felt sotowards the desk He abandoned his er ‘Actually, I think I do remember that one’

‘You do?’ Vale asked

Ramsbottom nodded ‘There were particular instructions enclosed with it Please, uentle with full dispatch as soon as she returns’ He glanced guiltily at the pile of post again ‘But she does have a very specific dislike of anyone else reading her post, and when she left, she told e specifically said that it should be opened’

‘The crate,forward ‘What happened to it?’

‘Ah, ahe note stipulated that if Professor Betony did not return to open it within three days of its receipt, then her assigned subordinate, which is myself, was to open it and take all necessary actions with the contents’