"That's all the esteem the budget will bear, Mr. Foster," I said. I got out the fifteen pounds and passed the money across to him. "I hope you haven't forgotten those people back home who wanted to talk to us," I said. "They'll be getting in touch with us any time now, I'll bet."
Foster rolled up the bills and held them in his hand. "That's true, Mr. Legion," he said. "Perhaps we shouldn't take the time...."
"But being it's for the advancement of science," the publican said, "I'm willing to make the sacrifice."
"We'll want to go out tonight," Foster said. "We have a very tight schedule."
The landlord dickered with Foster for another five minutes before he agreed to guide us to the spot where the skeleton had been found.
When he left, I began. "Now tell me."
"Look at the signboard again," Foster said. I looked. The skull smiled, holding up a hand.
"I see it," I said. "But it doesn't explain why you handed over our last buck——"
"Look at the hand. Look at the ring on the finger."
I looked again. A heavy ring was painted on the bony index finger, with a pattern of concentric circles.