“Now, I’ve a second question ...” proceeded Anthony.
“You stated a few moments ago that your I.O.U. to Prescott was half an ordinary-sized envelope. You said you tore an envelope in half to write it. I am not quite clear as to your exact meaning. Do you mean that your I.O.U. was half an envelope or half the back or front of an envelope? You get my meaning? There’s a difference if you think it over carefully.”
“I see what you mean, Bathurst. I slit an envelope down the side with my finger, separated the back from the front, then tore the back in two and used a half.”
“I follow you! So that your I.O.U. would have measured say two inches by three?”
“Just about.”
“Thank you! That’s all I wanted to know.”
Barker bowed to Sir Charles and retired.
“You seem to be able to extract all the information you require, Mr. Bathurst,” said Baddeley. “Much more successful than I am.”
Anthony grinned. “Put it down to my irresistible charm of manner.”
His tone altered. “Who’s next? Major Hornby?”