It was Jonah who had sprung a mine in the midst of our amazement.
"Stop," he had cried. "Where's yesterday's paper? Those things are Premium Bonds, and, unless I'm utterly mistaken, there was a drawing two days ago. One of those little fellows may be worth a thousand pounds."
The paper had confirmed his report….
The thought that, but for his wit, we might have released such substance to clutch at such a shadow, had set us all twittering more than ever.
At once a council had been held.
Finally it had been decided to visit a bank and, before we disposed of the Bonds, to ask for and search the official bulletin in which are published the results of all Government Lottery Draws.
Inquiry, however, had revealed that the day was some sort of a holiday, and that no banks would be open….
At last a financier was unearthed—a changer of money. In execrable
French he had put himself at our service.
'Yes, he had the bulletin. It had arrived this morning…'
Feverishly we searched its pages.