Reading progress update: I've read 10%.

‘Is that you, Doctor?’ Alec called.
‘Yes. I’d better run the car into the garage, in case it rains. Be with you in half a tick.’
But Alec didn’t wait. He blundered over into the glow of the head-lamps, and I had to stop altogether. Putting his hand on the door of the car, he peered up and down the drive.
‘Look here,’ he said. ‘Who cut the telephone-wires?’
Oh, this is good!