‘Yours, etc.
‘Léon Felix.’
Inspector Burnley examined the letter.
‘You will allow us to keep this in the meantime, I presume?’ he asked.
‘Certainly.’
‘You said the money was in notes. You mean, I take it, ordinary State paper money whose source could not be traced; not any kind of cheque or draft payable through a bank?’
‘Precisely.’
‘Well, sir, pardon my interruption.’
‘There is little more to add. The group was packed and despatched on the day we received the letter. Its price was, as a matter of fact, only 1400 francs, and the balance of 100 francs was therefore enclosed with it. This was considered as safe as any other way of sending it, as the cask was insured for its full value.’
‘The cask? You packed it then in a cask?’