Easterhouse’s swindle was just a variation of the Fourth Cash Register scam, and would only be uncovered by the full annual Ministry audit the following spring. The fraud is based on the tale of the American bar-owner who, though his bar was always full, became convinced his take was 25 per cent less than it ought to be. He hired the best private detective, who took the room above the bar, bored a hole in the floor, and spent a week on his belly watching the bar below. Finally he reported: ‘I’m sorry to have to say this, but your bar staff are honest people. Every dollar and dime that crosses that bar-top goes into one of your four cash registers.’ ‘What do you mean – four?’ asked the bar-owner. ‘I only installed three.’

— The negotiator by Frederick Forsyth