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"What sort of commitment would it require?" asked Da
The professor picked up a booklet that was lying on his desk, turned to the first page and began reading out loud. "The essay should be no less than ten thousand words and no more than twenty, on a subject of the entrant's choice, and it must be handed in by the end of Michaelmas Term."
"I'm flattered that you think I'm up to it," said Da
"I'm only surprised that your masters at Loretto didn't advise you to go to Edinburgh or Oxford, rather than join the army."
Da
"Perhaps you'd like to think it over," said the professor. "Let me know when you've come to a decision."
"I certainly will," said Da
Once he was back in the corridor, Da
Da
"She probably thinks ye huv robbed a bank," said Big Al, "and I'm the getaway driver."
"I did rob a bank," Da
Da
"It's mine," replied Da
"And who was the driver?" asked Ms. Be
"He's my chauffeur."
"How can you afford to own a BMW and have a chauffeur when your only declared source of income is a student grant?" she asked.
"My grandfather set up a trust fund for me, which pays out a monthly income of a hundred thousand pounds and-"
"Nicholas," said Ms. Be
"Yes, Ms. Be
"Let me ask you once again. Who owns the car you arrived in this afternoon?"
"The man who was driving it," said Da
"And is he a friend? Or do you work for him?"
"I knew him when I was in the army, and because I was ru
"And can you tell me if you have any source of income other than your student grant?"
"No, Ms. Be
"That's more like it," said Ms. Be
Da
Ms. Be
"Yes, I suppose it might," said Da
"Then I would advise you to enter the competition."
"I am most grateful, Ms. Be
"Not at all," she replied. "After all, that's what I'm here for."
Da
As Big Al swung the car into St. Paul 's Yard, Da
Once Da
"Number four," he told the officer, who pointed down the corridor to the second door on the right. Da
Da
Da
Da
Da