Chapter 6

Adam glanced over what seemed to be a list of calculations, more to relieve his boredom rather than anything else. However, his eye caught on a mistake early on in the column, which he could see unravelled the whole page of sums.

Mr Briggs came back through and picked up the sheaf of papers to return them to his own desk. Adam cleared his throat. “Excuse me, Mr. Briggs,” he said diffidently.

“Yes, Mr. Adam,” the elderly clerk paused briefly, purely out of courtesy. Adam could see his eyes darting to the door of his own office and an extensive mental list of things to do.

“On that top sheet of paper, I noticed an error,” Adam began.

“An error?” echoed Mr. Briggs, “Oh, I don’t think so,” he added automatically.

Not taking umbrage at the dismissive attitude, after all, he had no right to any professional respect, Adam simply pointed on the page clutched in Mr. Brigg’s hand.