He failed to find the coin in his pocket, however, but he walked
briskly up a side street until he came to the entrance to a tube
station. Entering a public telephone call-box, he asked for the
number, City 400. Being put through and having deposited the necessary
fee in the box:
"Is that the Commissioner's Office, New Scotland Yard?" he asked.
"Yes! My name is Dr. Keppel Stuart. If Inspector Dunbar is there,
would you kindly allow me to speak to him."
There was a short interval, then:
"Hullo!" came--"is that Dr. Stuart?"
"Yes. That you, Inspector? I have just remembered something which I
should have observed in the first place if I had been really wide-awake.
The envelope--you know the one I mean?--the one bearing the number,
30, has been sealed with a Chinese coin, known as _cash._ I have just
recognized the fact and thought it wise to let you know at once."
"Are you sure?" asked Dunbar.
"Certain. If you care to call at my place later to-day I can show you
some _cash._ Bring the envelope with you and you will see that the
coins correspond to the impression in the wax. The inscriptions vary
in different provinces, but the form of all _cash_ is the same."
"Very good. Thanks for letting me know at once. It seems to establish
a link with China, don't you think?"
"It does, but it merely adds to the mystery."
Coming out of the call-box, Stuart proceeded home, but made one or two
professional visits before he actually returned to the house.
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