Another period of silence passed. Kameda kept his eyes lowered. Finally, he spoke softly, to convey his regret at having to give Mac some unpleasant news.

"I am afraid I must tell you that, although I was Minister of Finance at this time, we never issued any 'Cash Refund Balance Confirmation Certificates'. That is not the inch of the Minister of Finance. Moshiwaske gozaimasen, I am very sorry. But this certificate is a fake."

"Well hell's bells."

Mac did not sound especially perturbed and Kameda could not completely hide his surprise at Mac's response.