“What is it?�
“Money!�
“You can have it.�
“I’ll need a hundred pounds, now!�
Sir Richard drew from his inner vest-pocket a thin bill-fold, which he opened upon the table. From this he extracted ten ten-pound notes and tossed them to Fay.
“Count them,� he said as he replaced the bill-fold and made an entry in the little book which he had already consulted when giving the data concerning the strong-box in the embassy.
“One hundred, correct!� said the cracksman, crinkling the sheath of white papers. “Clean notes! I shall have to lose a shilling on the pound with these.�
“That’s the rate the fences get, eh?�
Fay smiled as he thrust the bills in his tweed trousers. “How should I know?� he inquired with good-nature.
Sir Richard stared at MacKeenon. Both detectives mirrored Fay’s engaging manner. The tensity of the air had vanished.