He had another surprise the next morning, for he was searching for a certain penny to convince his incredulous host and owner of the yawl about a statement he had made at the breakfast table, and he couldn't find it.
"You must have spent it," said Patricia.
"I know I haven't," said the Saint. "I paid our fares yesterday afternoon out of a pound note; and I bought a magazine for a bob — I didn't spend any pennies."
"What about those drinks at the pub last night?" said the host and owner, who was Monty Hayward.
"We had one round each, at two-and-a-tanner a time. I changed a ten-bob note for my whack."
Monty shrugged.
"I expect you put it in a slot machine to look at rude pictures," he said.
Simon found his bottle and silvered another penny for demonstration purposes. It was left on a shelf in the saloon, and Simon thought no more about it until the following morning. He was looking for a box of matches after breakfast when he came across it; and the sight of it made him scratch his head, for there was not a trace of silver on it.
"Is anyone being funny?" he demanded; and after he had explained himself there was a chorus of denial.
"Well, that's damned odd," said the Saint.