"You're a thief and a crook!" howled Willie.
"So are you," answered the temporary Mr. Penwick mildly. "By the way, this payment had better be in cash. You can go round to your bank and get it right away. I don't like to have to insist on this, but Mr. Walter said he was coming round in about an hour's time, and if you're going to make your offer in an acceptable form—"
It is only a matter of record that Willie went. It is also on record that he took his departure in a speed and ferment that eclipsed even his arrival; and Simon Templar went to the telephone and called Patricia.
"You must have done a great job, darling," he said. "What did you get out of it?"
"Five hundred pounds," she told him cheerfully. "I got an open cheque and took it straight round to his bank — I'm just pushing out to buy some clothes, as soon as I've washed this paint off my face."
"Buy a puce jumper," said the Saint, "and christen it Willie. I want to keep it for a pet."
Rather less than an hour had passed when the front door bell pealed again; and Simon looked out of the window and beheld the form of Walter Kinsall standing outside. He went to let the caller in himself.
Mr. Walter Kinsall was a little taller and heavier than his brother, but the rat-like mould of his features and his small beady eyes were almost the twins of his brother's. At that point their external resemblance temporarily ended, for Walter's bearing was not hysterical.
"Well, Mr. Penwick," he said gloatingly, "has my cheque been cleared?"
"It ought to be through by now," said the Saint. "If you'll wait a moment, I'll just phone up the bank and make sure."