THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS
"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 10.27 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. "I once was lent a house there
200
