He cleared the drawers of his writing-table by the simple process of pulling them out and emptying their contents upon the top. He went through these with remarkable rapidity, throwing the papers one by one into the fire, and he was engaged in this occupation when Pinto returned.
"Back already?" said the colonel in surprise, and then, after a glance at the other's face, he demanded: "What's wrong?"
Pinto was incapable of speech. He just put the cheque down upon the table.
"Haven't they cashed it?" asked the colonel with a frown.
"They can't cash it," said Pinto in a hollow voice. "There's no money there."
The colonel picked up the cheque.
"So there's no money there to meet it?" he said softly. "And why is there no money there to meet it?"
"Because it was drawn out three days ago. I thought——" said Pinto incoherently. "I saw Ferguson, and he told me that a cheque for the full amount came through from the Bank of England."
"In whose favour was it drawn?"
Pinto cleared his throat.