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just like it.’ She hesitated, and then said. ‘No . . . I did mean odd. Daddy paid nearly eleven pounds for his, and grumbled about the price all the way home. I thought a policeman might not earn enough to be able to afford a pair of expensive shoes. I know that sounds snobbish, and he might be a well-off policeman for all I know about him. I suppose there are some.’
    ‘That might be true, but I’ve never come across one. Besides, he should have been wearing regulation uniform.’
    ‘Perhaps he won the money to buy the shoes with a bet on a horse.’
    The constable licked his pencil again and gazed at her, his expression bland. ‘Do you have a description of the winning horse, miss?’
    Uncertain, she gazed at her aunt who was in the process of exchanging a smile with Leo. She giggled. ‘I think you’re all perfectly horrid, including you, Constable Duffy.’
    ‘I’m sorry but I couldn’t resist it, young lady.’
    ‘Oh, I forgot. I think the burglar was left-handed. His writing sloped as if he was.’
    Constable Duffy wrote it down and closed his notebook. ‘Actually, you’ve been most helpful, and observant. You’d make a good detective, were you a man.’
    The lightning bolt Meggie sent his way bounced off him.
    ‘At least we have a definite suspect now. It’s possible your Sergeant Blessing is impersonating a police officer.’
    ‘You mean he might be the crook?’ Though he’d denied he was Jack the Ripper. ‘He’s coming to morning tea on Friday. You can come and meet him if you like.’
    The constable smiled. ‘If he keeps the appointment telephone me.’ Finishing his tea, he stood, and picked up his helmet. Unless your goods happen to turn up, which is highly unlikely, you won’t hear from me again. Thank you for your hospitality, Doctor and Mrs Thornton. Miss Elliot. I never say no to a cup of tea.’
    After he’d gone Leo gazed at his watch. ‘Get your coats and lipstick on ladies. As I’m not on call tonight I’m taking you both out to dine at a restaurant.’
    ‘What if the burglar comes back?’
    ‘He’s already taken anything that’s worth having, so he might as well have the rest of it?’
    ‘Don’t think this will let you off when it’s your turn to cook the dinner,’ Esmé told him as they scrambled off up the stairs.
    Leo gave a martyred sigh. ‘As if I’d be so devious.’
    ‘As you once told me, there’s a first time for everything.’
    ‘So I did, Mrs Thornton, so I did. I remember the occasion clearly.’ He winked at her and consulted his watch, grinning when colour touched her cheeks. ‘You have exactly ten minutes.’

Three
    Sergeant Blessing failed to turn up for morning tea.
    Meggie felt guilty for encouraging him into the house, and said so to Leo.
    ‘You couldn’t help getting lost in the fog, my angel. He certainly had his eye on the main chance. Two houses within sight of each other . . . I could almost admire him for his nerve.’
    ‘Do you think Aunt Es will be all right? She was really shaken up.’
    ‘She’ll be fine now the locks have been changed. My Es is made of strong stuff.’
    Meggie slid him a look. ‘You really love her, don’t you?’
    ‘I’d walk a mile over hot coals if it made her happy. Luckily it wouldn’t.’ His smile lit his eyes. ‘Go and put your slacks on while I fetch Esmé’s leather flying gear for you to wear.’
    Excitement filled her. ‘We’re definitely going flying then?’
    ‘With a vengeance, since I’ve got the plane booked. It’s a good day for it. I hope you’re ready for some excitement this time because I won’t be doddering about up there.’
    ‘I thought you just mentioned it because Aunt Es wasn’t keen on having that fake policeman in the house.’
    He slid her a gaze. ‘You don’t miss much, do you? As it turned out, Es was right to distrust him.’
    ‘I feel such a fool. I practically invited him to rob us.’
    ‘Don’t beat yourself up over it. He was a con man, and they’re