'
He thought for a bit. 'What kind of steps do you mean, Sir?
There are plenty of places with roads cut down through the cliffs,
and most roads have a step or two in them. Or do you mean
regular staircases--all steps, so to speak?'
Sir Arthur looked towards me. 'We mean regular staircases,' I said.
He reflected a minute or two. 'I don't know that I can think of
any. Wait a second. There's a place in Norfolk--Brattlesham--
beside a golf-course, where there are a couple of staircases, to let the
gentlemen get a lost ball.'
'That's not it,' I said.
'Then there are plenty of Marine Parades, if that's what you
mean. Every seaside resort has them.'
I shook my head.
'It's got to be more retired than that,' I said.
'Well, gentlemen, I can't think of anywhere else. Of course,
there's the Ruff--'
'What's that?' I asked.
'The big chalk headland in Kent, close to Bradgate. It's got a lot
of villas on the top, and some of the houses have staircases down to
a private beach. It's a very high-toned sort of place, and the residents
there like to keep by themselves.'
I tore open the Tide Tables and found Bradgate. High tide there
was at 10.17 P.m. on the 15th of June.
'We're on the scent at last,' I cried excitedly. 'How can I find out
what is the tide at the Ruff?'
'I can tell you that, Sir,' said the coastguard man.
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