Free Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone by Dene Low Page A

rubbishy tourist guide all day."
    We walked willingly in his wake like ducklings following a mother duck, although Uncle harrumphed a bit. I could tell that his dignity was wounded.
    "Thank you for rescuing me," I whispered to James and Jane.
    "My pleasure," said James. His voice was warm. For a moment I reveled in the illusion that he cared for me as more than a connection of his sister's, before he commented, "Can't have my sister's bosom friend arrested." Oh, well. My hopes had been dashed before, but they would rise again.
    "I'm almost sorry you weren't arrested. I've never visited anyone in prison before," Jane whispered, and then burst out laughing at my indignant expression.

Chapter Fourteen
In Which the Horde Hinders
    BEING MARCHED THROUGH THE STREETS of London for several blocks by an officious bobby may not be good for one's dignity, but it does have the effect of allowing one to marshal one's thoughts. Upon further contemplation, I decided it was probably for the best that we had been circumvented in our attempts to confront Don Salas. What would we have said or done in the middle of the Savoy? I could not see us inviting him to tea in order to demand the return of the dame and the generalissimo. Should we have revealed our suspicions of espionage over cucumber sandwiches or requested information about his plans for retribution while partaking of petits fours? I think not. On the other hand, it was our duty to show the tiara and
peso
to Inspector Higginbotham—
probably sooner than later. Hopefully, he would listen to us this time.
    Once we were inside the entrance of the New Scotland Yard, the bobby's bellicosity deflated somewhat, since he was confronted with an equally officious representative of that venerable institution, who demanded, "And just what do you think you're doing here, Officer?"
    Officer Dudworth puffed himself up long enough to say, "Oi'm deliverin' these 'ere culprits to Inspector Igginbotham."
    James stepped forward and presented his card to the Yard officer. "Please be good enough to let Inspector Higginbotham know that Lord Sinclair is here with additional information."
    "Yes, sir." The representative of the Yard sent James's card with a boy who had been sitting nearby, nearly asleep on a chair.
    While we waited, the bobby stared at us watchfully, as if we were about to make a break for the doors. He seemed quite disappointed when the messenger returned and reported with great disinterest, "The inspector said to wait 'ere and e would be available shortly." Then the boy plunked down in his chair and promptly fell asleep.
    James reached to shake the bobby's hand. "Thank you so
much, Officer Dudworth, for delivering us safely. I hope we have not kept you too long from your duties."
    The bobby harrumphed a bit, but looked only too happy to leave, now that we'd proven to be respectable.
    We sat upon the hard wooden chairs reserved for visitors. As I arranged the flounces of my skirt attractively—and might I add, daringly—about my ankles, I commented, "Well, James. I'm seeing you in a new light. Somehow I'm having a spot of trouble reconciling the image of you as a diplomat with memories of the boy who hung the ostler's trousers on the weathervane or the time you switched the salt for the sugar in your cook's larder."
    "Or the time, not two years ago, when he wrote messages on the eggs and put them back under the hens. The kitchen maid nearly had hysterics when she read that the world would end the next day." Jane giggled.
    Uncle chimed in, "James, this is a side of you I had not suspected."
    James faced forward, a blush infusing even the tips of his ears. "Yes, well, it is a side of me that is in the past."
    Jane slid her arm into his and rested her cheek against his shoulder. "Don't be cross, brother dear. It's just that I had not seen you in an official capacity before. I'm really rather impressed."
    I held out a bag of sweets to him. "Here. These might help."
    "Help what?" said