“Perhaps it’s a nickname,” suggested Alex, “for someone who is long and thin or who is always in church. Or perhaps his surname is the same as a famous steeple, such as the one on that church in Chesterfield, which twisted because the wood used was green and then warped.”

        “Well, there’s Chesterton-Lee isn’t there?” said Smithers, “and a lea, spelt with an ‘a’ at the end and not an ‘e’ is a meadow or open arable area, so you could make Chesterfield from his hyphenated name. Just miss out the ‘ton’ part.”

        “Well, you could and that’s a rather cunning explanation Smithers,” said Ralphie, “I like that, and it gives us one less address to visit as the others up in London are heading Mr. Steeple’s way as we speak.”

        “Well, that sounds like a plan, doesn’t it?” said Tompkins, looking at his watch, “I can’t help feeling we should get some sleep and wait to hear from our pals who are visiting Mr. Chesterton-Lee and then visit Dr. Black and Rev Green, in that order.”

        “I will set my alarm so that when Webster emails me, I’ll be notified, and I’ll let you know what he says,” said Ralphie.

        “Sound an excellent idea,” said Filly, “I’m for the couch in The Lounge. I seem to remember it was comfortable.”

        Tompkins laughed and added two names to his list, as Alex and Smithers followed Filly to claim the two armchairs. Tompkins thought about why Daisy had been taken and could only think that someone at Aunt Jemima’s wasn’t as trustworthy as he thought – unless they were seen at Stalky’s place by someone who was lying low…