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“No, sir”

“With the Van Dorn Agency I’m here about the train robbery”

The crime had occurred several days after the Grey Ghost was stolen Three ’s ransoine parts that Rolls-Royce hoped to use to put together a working forty-fifty engine in time for the Olympia Motor Show

It suddenly occurred to me that one of the dead men had also been a private detective hired by Rolls-Royce to find their stolen car “I’m so sorry This man was a friend of yours?”

“I didn’t know hiiance to find out who killed him I’ve been hired to find out who killed the three men and who robbed the train”

“Forgive my impertinence, but why am I here?”

“Your eation”

“But why?” I asked, certain there must be some mistake

“I need someone who knows the area As such, it’s iether Three men have already been killed I’d rather not add another to that count”

I wasn’t sure what frightened ree to this working arrangement or that when he talked about death the warmth in his eyes turned to steel “Why e

“I asked for someone trustworthy, but also someone whom no one would suspect would have the nerve to ith a detective”

I couldn’t help a twinge of embarrassment over that description Shadowsthe nerve to do anything remotely brave “Perhaps you ie He’s the brave one in the family”

“You care about Rolls-Royce?”

“Of course,” I said, not fully realizing that Bell had drawn e

“Then you’ll do” Before I knew it, ere halfway down the street, when Bell asked, “What do you know about the train robbery?”