Eric took one from his waistcoat pocket and offered it to Westenhanger, who had pulled out a piece of paper. Westenhanger put out his hand and then withdrew it again.
“I hate using anyone else’s pen for fear of spoiling the nib. I write heavier than most people. Would you mind jotting the address down?”
Eric wrote down the address which Douglas gave, and both men noted that he used his pen in the normal way. Westenhanger put the paper in his pocket and again surprised Douglas by going to the window and looking out.
“It’s clearing up a bit. What about some fresh air, Douglas?”
This was the prearranged signal for breaking off operations; but Douglas was puzzled by its coming so early.
“Oh, all right,” he agreed. “If you want to get soaked, I don’t mind.”
Eric could not be expected to join them, and Wraxall, for the sake of politeness, had to stay behind to keep the lame man company. As soon as they were well away from the house, Douglas showed his surprise.
“You broke that off a bit soon, Conway. Of course, I’m quite satisfied. They’re both right-handed. Wraxall handed the box and grabbed at the shillings quite according to plan; and Dangerfield counted his lot of coins in the normal way. But I’d liked to have worked a few more stunts on them, just for certainty’s sake.”
“Not worth while,” Westenhanger said. “I’ve got something absolutely certain to go on. As it happens, you’re wrong, Douglas. Wraxall is right-handed. But the other fellow is ambidextrous. He uses his right hand for hand-movements; but when his arm comes in, he’s left-handed.”
“How do you make that out?” demanded Douglas in surprise.