Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less

13

The following day, Friday, Stephen sat on Robin’s examination couch in Harley Street and addressed the troops.

‘The Monte Carlo operation was a total success in every way, thanks to Robin keeping his cool. The expenses were fairly high, though. The hospital and hotel bills totaled $11,351, while we received $80,000. Therefore, we’ve had $527,560 returned to us, and expenses so far have come to $22,530, which leaves Mr Metcalfe still in debt to the tune of $494,970. Does everyone agree with that?’

There was a general murmur of approval. Their confidence in Stephen’s arithmetic was unbounded, although in fact, like all algebraists, he found working with figures somewhat tedious.

‘Incidentally, Robin, however did you manage to spend $73.50 on dinner last Wednesday night? What did you have, caviar and champagne?’

‘Something a little out of the ordinary,’ admitted Robin. ‘It seemed to be called for at the time.’

‘I’d bet more than I laid out in Monte Carlo that I know who joined you for dinner, and I bet she shared more than a table with you too,’ said Jean-Pierre, taking his wallet out of his pocket. ‘Here you are, Stephen, 219 francs — my winnings from the Casino on Wednesday night. If you’d left me alone in peace, we needn’t have bothered with Robin’s butchery. I could have won the whole amount back on my own. I think the least I deserve is Nurse Faubert’s telephone number.’

Jean-Pierre’s remarks went straight over Stephen’s head.

‘Well done, Jean-Pierre, it’ll all come off expenses. At today’s exchange rate, your 219 francs,’ he paused for a moment and tapped out on his calculator, ‘is worth $46.76. That brings the expenses down to $22,483.24.

‘Now, my plans for Ascot are simple. James has acquired two badges for the Members’ Enclosure at a cost of $10. We know that Harvey Metcalfe also has a badge, as all owners do, so as long as we get our timing right and make it look natural, he should once again fall into our trap. James will keep us briefed on the walkie-talkie and will follow the movements of Metcalfe from his arrival to his leaving. Jean-Pierre will wait by the entrance of the Members’ Enclosure and follow him in. Robin will send the telegram from Heathrow Airport at 1 pm, so Harvey ought to receive it during lunch in his private box. That part of the plan is easy. It’s if we manage to lure him to Oxford that we all have to be on our toes. I must confess, it’d make a pleasant change if Ascot were to work first time.’

Stephen grinned widely.

‘That would give us much needed extra time to go over the Oxford plan again. Any questions?’

‘You don’t need us for part (a) of the Oxford plan, only (b)?’ asked Robin, checking Stephen’s notes.

‘That’s right. I can manage part (a) on my own. In fact, it will be better if you all remain in London on that night, well out of the way. Our next priority must be to think up some ideas for James or he might, heaven preserve us, even think up something for himself. I’m becoming very concerned about this,’ continued Stephen, ‘because once Harvey returns to America we’ll have to deal with him on his own ground. To date he’s always been at the venue of our choosing. James would stick out like a sore thumb in Boston, even though he’s the best actor of the four of us. In Harvey’s words, “It would be a whole different ball game”.’

James sighed lugubriously and studied the Axminster carpet.

‘Poor old James — don’t worry, you drove that ambulance like a trooper,’ said Robin.

‘Perhaps you could learn to fly a plane and then we could hijack him,’ suggested Jean-Pierre.

Miss Meikle did not approve of the laughter coming from Doctor Oakley’s room and she was glad to see the oddly assorted trio leave. When she had closed the door finally on James she returned to Robin’s room.

‘Will you see your patients now, Doctor Oakley?’

‘Yes, if I must, Miss Meikle.’

Miss Meikle pursed her lips. Whatever had come over him? It must be those dreadful types he had started mixing with lately. He had become so unreliable.

‘Mrs Wentworth-Brewster — Doctor Oakley will see you now, and I’ll have the pills for your trip to Italy ready for you when you come out.’

Stephen returned for a few days’ recuperation to Magdalen College. He had started the entire exercise eight weeks before and two of the Team had succeeded far beyond his expectations. He was conscious that he must crown their efforts with something that would live on in the legends of Oxford long after his departure.

Jean-Pierre returned to work in his gallery in Bond Street. Since he only had to deliver one sentence at Ascot he was not going to be overtaxed, although part (b) of Stephen’s Oxford plan kept him nightly in front of a mirror rehearsing his role.

James took Anne down to Stratford-upon-Avon for the weekend. The Royal Shakespeare Company obliged with a sparkling performance of Much Ado about Nothing and afterward, walking along the banks of the Avon, James proposed. Only the royal swans could have heard her reply. The diamond ring James had noticed in the window of Cartier while he had been waiting for Harvey Metcalfe to join Jean-Pierre in the gallery looked even more beautiful on her slender finger. James’s happiness seemed complete. If only he could come up with a plan and shock them all, he would want for nothing. He discussed it with Anne again that night, considering new ideas and old ones, still getting nowhere.

But an idea was beginning to formulate in her mind.