“Hmm.” Max’s mind whirled around this information. He jumped up and rang for Deery. “If we have some old papers, it’s worth taking a look, I believe.”
Deery appeared. “Sir?”
“Do we keep old newspapers, Deery? If so how far back?”
“Yes, sir. I do keep old papers. We usually have four weeks’ worth saved; they are very useful for a variety of purposes around the house.”
Kitty looked at him curiously. “Really?”
“Yes, miss,” answered Deery. “You can clean windows very effectively with an old sheet of newspaper.”
Kitty blinked in surprise. “Well, goodness. I never knew that.”
*~~*~~*
By late afternoon, a pile of scraps had grown to respectable proportions in the center of the Aubusson carpet.
All three had discovered small notices, mentions of possible problems and of course the accidents Grace had originally recalled. Those pieces had been cut out of the sheets, and the rest discarded into the central pile.
As the last paper joined its mates, Kitty leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms above her head. “Well, that’s the last of it.” Her back ached a little and her fingers were quite dirty from the newsprint.
Grace nodded in agreement, a smudge on her nose. “Thank goodness we only had four weeks to deal with.”
Max was already assembling the clippings into piles.
Kitty stood and came over to his side. “Sorting?”
He nodded, intent upon his task. “This pile mentions the name of the carriage owner. This pile does not.” He gestured to the piles. “I thought it might be useful to see if there is any link between those affected.”
“Good idea,” concurred Kitty. “Especially if it reveals any link to you, as well. Either directly or indirectly.”
“Let me take that pile, Max.” She held out her hand. “I don’t know your circle of intimates, but I can give it a preliminary review to see if any of the names jump out at me.”
Max smiled. “Given your proclivity for the news, Grace, you probably know more about who’s who in London than Kitty and I put together.”
“While Grace does that, I’ve had another idea I’d like to pursue. May I have that pile?” She indicated the one Grace wasn’t using. “I would like to flip through those notices.”
“Looking for something in particular?” Max slid her the pile and she moved her chair next to him.
“Yes.”
“Well, I’ll go and clean up I think. And order tea.”
Kitty barely heard him. She had found what she sought. Or at least one thing she was looking for. Now to see if others matched.
It didn’t take long for her to review the entire pile. A third of it was pushed aside, while the rest remained in front of her. Five mentions. Five places where similar information showed up.
“Grace, may I have your pile when you’re done?”
“I’m done,” sighed Grace. “I found nothing to connect anyone in these announcements.”
“Thank you.” Kitty took the clippings as Grace pushed them over the table. “Don’t be too disheartened. I might have come across something useful.”
Max returned at that moment, a tray in his hands, pushing into the room with his shoulder and kicking the door shut behind him. “Make a space please, ladies. I have tea and scones.”
“Oh lovely.” Grace eagerly rearranged the table top to make room. “Kitty’s found something, Max. Don’t touch her clippings just yet?”
Max laid out tea, cups and plates with a dexterity that would make Deery green with envy.
