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Chapter 12 – To Hartley Manor

After having their table loaded with books and floor plans, a newspaper was added to the top of the pile as the librarian took her cue to leave.

For a long time they sat silently, only the turning of pages and the dull thudding of discarded books illustrating the silence.

Reaching for a new book, Eva found her fingers close over the newspaper. Having forgotten about it, she pulled it towards her and opened it to the page she wanted. After reading a few sentences, she felt her blood run cold. "Oh no," she whispered, her hand flying to her mouth.

Tintin looked up from the blueprints he had been studying, and came to her side of the table quickly. He gripped the back of her chair as he began to read.

Hartley Manor to be torn down Saturday.

"They can't find the will, so they'll cover their tracks by tearing down the house." Eva breathed.

"They're tearing it down tomorrow, so we'll have to get there first so we can find the will and stop them." Tintin returned to his side of the table, and gathered up the floor plans. "Does it say what –"

Suddenly, on the floor below, the door to the library slammed open as many pair of boots began stomping inside.

Tintin and Eva froze, and after a nod, they kept close to the shelves and sidled to the edge of the balcony.

Four police officers stood in front of a very cross librarian. "Why, what is the meaning of this? Four police officers, at this hour, tramping mud into my –"

"It's bad business, ma'am. Very bad." The man who led them took of his hat, and looked conflicted. "We're looking for Mr. Tintin – we have a warrant for his arrest. We have three accounts of a person matching his description breaking into Hartley Manor last night."

There was a beat of silence, but Tintin didn't wait to hear any more. "Eva, we have to go."

She didn't move.

"Eva, I know I way out."

She still stayed frozen.

Gently, Tintin added, "Trust me."

That seemed to break into her reverie, and Eva got up and followed him. Tintin led her to a narrow door she hadn't noticed before, which opened easily.

"This goes out through the restoration department," Tintin explained as he quickly closed the door behind them.

Soon, they were out in the street, and Eva turned to him. "We have to go to Hartley Manor now. Let's find the will and finish this."