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‘£450, sir,’ she replied

~

Mr Botts called Cornelius later that evening to inform him that the afternoon sale had raised £902,800 – far more than he had estimated

/>‘Do you by any chance knoho bought the chess set?’ was Cornelius’s only question

‘No,’ replied Mr Botts ‘All I can tell you is that it was purchased on behalf of a client The buyer paid in cash and took the item away’

As he clio to bed, Cornelius had to adone to plan except for the disastrous loss of the chess set, for which he realised he had only himself to blame What made it worse was that he knew Frank would never refer to the incident again

~

Cornelius was in the bathroo Obviously so as the earliest moment they could possibly disturb him

‘Is that you, Cornelius?’

‘Yes,’ he replied, yawning noisily ‘Who’s this?’ he added, knowing only too well

‘It’s Elizabeth I’ently’

‘Of course, my dear,’ Cornelius replied, ‘why don’t you join me for tea this afternoon?’

‘Oh no, it can’t wait until then I have to see you thisCould I come round at nine?’

‘I’m sorry, Elizabeth, but I already have an appointment at nine’ He paused ‘But I could fit you in at ten for half an hour, then I won’t be late forwith Mr Botts at eleven’

‘I could give you a lift into town if that would help,’ suggested Elizabeth