to his breast] Oh! no, sare.

TWISDEN. You received it from--?

RICARDOS. A minute, sare; I would weesh to explain--[With an expressive
shrug] in private.

TWISDEN. [Nodding] Mr Gilman, your conduct has been most prompt. You
may safely leave the matter in our hands, now. Kindly let us retain
this note; and ask for my cashier as you go out and give him [He writes]
this. He will reimburse you. We will take any necessary steps
ourselves.

GILMAN. [In slight surprise, with modest pride] Well, sir, I'm in your
'ands. I must be guided by you, with your experience. I'm glad you
think I acted rightly.

TWISDEN. Very rightly, Mr Gilman--very rightly. [Rising]
Good afternoon!

GILMAN. Good afternoon, sir. Good afternoon, gentlemen! [To TWISDEN]
I'm sure I'm very 'appy to have made your acquaintance, sir. It's a
well-known name.

TWISDEN. Thank you.

GILMAN retreats, glances at RICARDOS, and turns again.

GILMAN. I suppose there's nothing else I ought to do, in the interests
of the law? I'm a careful man.

TWISDEN. If there is, Mr Gilman, we will let you know. We have your
address. You may make your mind easy; but don't speak of this. It might
interfere with Justice.

GILMAN. Oh! I shouldn't dream of it. I've no wish to be mixed up in
anything conspicuous. That's not my principle at all. Good-day,
gentlemen.

He goes.

TWISDEN. [Seating himself] Now, sir, will you sit down.

But RICARDOS does not sit; he stands looking uneasily across the
table at GRAVITER.

You may speak out.

RICARDOS. Well, Mr Tweesden and sare, this matter is very serious for
me, and very delicate--it concairns my honour. I am in a great
difficulty.

TWISDEN. When in difficulty--complete frankness, sir.

RICARDOS. It is a family matter, sare, I--

TWISDEN. Let me be frank with you. [Telling his points off on his
fingers] We have your admission that you changed this stopped note for
value. It will be our duty to inform the Bank of England that it has
been traced to you. You will have to account to them for your possession
of it. I suggest to you that it will be far better to account frankly to
us.

RICARDOS. [Taking out a handkerchief and quite openly wiping his hands
and forehead] I received this note, sare, with others, from a gentleman,
sare, in settlement of a debt of honour, and I know nothing of where he
got them.

TWISDEN. H'm! that is very vague. If that is al