“I suppose Mr Greatorex isn’t still here by any chance, Parkinson?” he asked, referring to his secretary.
“I think not, sir, but I will ascertain,” replied the man.
“Never mind. Go to his room and bring me the last two files of The Times. Now”—when he returned—“turn to the earliest you have there. The date?”
“November the second.”
“That will do. Find the Money Market; it will be in the Supplement. Now look down the columns until you come to British Railways.”
“I have it, sir.”
“Central and Suburban. Read the closing price and the change.”
“Central and Suburban Ordinary, 66-1/2-67-1/2, fall 1/8. Preferred Ordinary, 81-81-1/2, no change. Deferred Ordinary, 27-1/2-27-3/4, fall 1/4. That is all, sir.”
“Now take a paper about a week on. Read the Deferred only.”
“27-27-1/4, no change.”