“He wasn’t going to draw attention to it. By trying it on you it might pass without notice being drawn to it, and he talked about the size just to put everybody off. But surely it must mean that the man who shot at you held the pistol in his left hand.”
“So we’ve got to look for a left-handed man,” said Loraine thoughtfully.
“Yes, and I’ll tell you another thing. That was what Battle was doing looking through the golf clubs. He was looking for a left-handed man’s.”
“By Jove,” said Jimmy suddenly.
“What is it?”
“Well, I don’t suppose there’s anything in it, but it’s rather curious.”
He retailed the conversation at tea the day before.
“So Sir Oswald Coote is ambidexterous?” said Bundle.
“Yes. And I remember now on that night at Chimneys—you know, the night Gerry Wade died—I was watching the bridge and thinking idly how awkwardly someone was dealing—and then realising that it was because they were dealing with the left hand. Of course, it must have been Sir Oswald.”
They all three looked at each other.
Loraine shook her head.
“A man like Sir Oswald Coote! It’s impossible. What could he have to gain by it?”
“It seems absurd,” said Jimmy. “And yet—”
“ No. 7 has his own ways of working,” quoted Bundle softly. “Supposing this is the way Sir Oswald has really made his fortune?”