Page 140 - the-thirty-nine-steps

mistake; but these things happen sometimes, and we can
easily set it right. It won’t be hard to prove our innocence. I
can show that I was out of the country on the 23rd of May,
and Bob was in a nursing home. You were in London, but
you can explain what you were doing.’
‘Right, Percy! Of course that’s easy enough. The 23rd!
That was the day after Agatha’s wedding. Let me see. What
was I doing? I came up in the morning from Woking, and
lunched at the club with Charlie Symons. Then oh yes, I
dined with the Fishmongers. I remember, for the punch
didn’t agree with me, and I was seedy next morning. Hang it
all, there’s the cigar-box I brought back from the dinner.’ He
pointed to an object on the table, and laughed nervously.
‘I think, Sir,’ said the young man, addressing me respect-
fully, ‘you will see you are mistaken. We want to assist the
law like all Englishmen, and we don’t want Scotland Yard to
be making fools of themselves. That’s so, uncle?’
‘Certainly, Bob.’ The old fellow seemed to be recovering
his voice. ‘Certainly, we’ll do anything in our power to as-
sist the authorities. But but this is a bit too much. I can’t get
over it.’
‘How Nellie will chuckle,’ said the plump man. ‘She
always said that you would die of boredom because noth-
ing ever happened to you. And now you’ve got it thick and
strong,’ and he began to laugh very pleasantly.
‘By Jove, yes. just think of it! What a story to tell at the
club. Really, Mr Hannay, I suppose I should be angry, to
show my innocence, but it’s too funny! I almost forgive you
the fright you gave me! You looked so glum, I thought I

140 The Thirty-Nine Steps