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“And how do you propose to convince them of that?”

“That’s where you come in Tell me, do you knohere in his study Slayde keeps his important papers?”

A baffled nod “In his upper right-hand desk drawer”

“Excellent Then that’s where he must have placed the three ransom notes he received from Armon I want you to sneak in and take them Also, find a blank sheet of Slayde’s personal stationery Take that, too”

“What on earth for?”

“Because you and I are going to pen a letter outlining the circumstances that led up to the surrender of the black dia to prevail upon Cutterton to send one of his most trusted men to ride into London and deliver our letter and the three ransohly trustworthy, ill bring those notes back the instant they’ve been read and copied As it is, we’ll have our hands full, keeping Slayde fro out before I choose to tell him We’ll have to steer him far away from his study for three or four days Also, whoever Cutterton selects can’t be someone whose absence Slayde would notice; tell hiuard who’s not terribly visible Invent whatever explanation you need to Tell Cutterton it’s a matter of life and death, if that’s what it takes Just persuade him to cooperate Can you?”

Aurora was still gaping “Go to where in London? And what good will it do for us to write this letter?”

“To the London Times And so far as the newspaper is concerned, Slayde will have written the letter ’Twill be his signature—albeit forged—they see at the bottom, his explanation they’ll read, and his ransoreat pleasure for the world to pore over and believe And that will be the end of the perils associated with being a Huntley” Courtney inclined her head “Now, can you or can you not persuade Cutterton to go along with this?”

A radiant sn an attack of the vapors I’ for the door “This isto escape from Pembourne”

“And equally as rash,” Courtney called out pointedly

Aurora turned “Do I detect a note of censure?”

“Indeed you do I know you’re iht would be a mistake Should he walk in, it would destroy all our well-laid plans” Her eyes twinkled “On the other hand, I know for a fact he’s leaving for Dartht after breakfast tomorrohich would eliminate the threat of discovery and make your task that et the notes and paper Agreed?”

“Agreed” Aurora walked back reluctantly

“There’s more,” Courtney baited

Her lure had the desired effect Aurora’s face brightened with curiosity “Tell me”