Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less

“I could tell the moment you walked in. When do we meet her, James?”

“Not until it’s too late for her to change her mind, Jean-Pierre.”

Stephen consulted his diary.

“How much reprieve are you asking for?”

“Well, Anne and I are getting married on August 3rd, in Boston. Anne’s mother is American,” explained James, “and although Anne lives in England, it would please her mother if she was married at home. Then there’ll be the honeymoon and after that we anticipate returning to England on August 25th. My plan for Mr. Metcalfe ought to be carried out on September 15th, the closing day of the Stock Exchange account.”

“I’m sure that’s acceptable, James. All agreed?”

Robin and Jean-Pierre nodded.

James launched into his plan.

“I shall require a telex and seven telephones. They’ll need to be installed in my flat. Jean-Pierre will have to be in Paris at the Bourse, Stephen in Chicago on the commodity market and Robin in London at Lloyds. I will present a full blue dossier as soon as I return from my honeymoon.”

They were all struck dumb with admiration and James paused for dramatic effect.

“Very good, James,” said Stephen. “We’ll await the details with interest. What further instructions do you have?”

“First, Stephen, you must know the opening and closing price of gold in Johannesburg, Zürich, New York and London each day for the next month. Jean-Pierre, you must know the price of the Deutsche mark, the French franc and the pound against the dollar every day during the same period, and Robin must master a telex machine and PBX 8-line switchboard by September 2nd. You must be as competent as an international operator.”

“Always get the easy jobs, Robin, don’t you?” said Jean-Pierre.

“You can…”

“Shut up, both of you,” said James.

Their faces registered surprise and respect.

“I’ve made notes for all of you to work on.”

James handed two typewritten sheets to each member of the Team.

“You add these to your dossiers as pages 74 and 75 and they should keep you occupied for at least a month. Finally, you’re all invited to the wedding of Miss Anne Summerton to James Brigsley. I shan’t bother issuing you with formal invitations at such short notice, but I’ve reserved seats for us on a 747 on the afternoon of August 2nd and we’re all booked in at the Ritz in Boston for the night. I hope you’ll honor me by being ushers.”

Even James was impressed by his own efficiency. The others received the plane tickets and instructions with astonishment.

“We’ll meet at the airport at 3 P.M. and during the flight I shall test you on your dossier notes.”

“Yes, sir,” said Jean-Pierre.

“Your test, Jean-Pierre, will be in both French and English, as you’ll be required to converse in two languages over a transatlantic telephone, and appear expert on foreign currency exchange.”

There were no more jokes about James that evening, and as he traveled back up the motorway he felt a new man. Not only had he been the star of the Oxford plan; now he had the other three on the run. He would come out on top and do his old pa yet.

Chapter Nineteen

FOR A CHANGE James was the first to arrive at a meeting and the others joined him at Heathrow. He had gained the upper hand and was determined not to lose it. Robin arrived last, clutching an armful of newspapers.

“We’re only going to be away for two days,” said Stephen.

“I know, but I always miss the English papers, so I’ve brought enough for tomorrow as well.”

Jean-Pierre threw his arms up in Gallic despair.

They checked their luggage through the No. 3 Terminal and boarded the British Airways 747 flight to Logan International Airport.