l you can tell us, I'm
afraid--

RICARDOS. Gentlemen, this is very painful for me. It is my daughter's
good name--[He again wipes his brow].

TWISDEN. Come, sir, speak out!

RICARDOS. [Desperately] The notes were a settlement to her from this
gentleman, of whom she was a great friend.

TWISDEN. [Suddenly] I am afraid we must press you for the name of the
gentleman.

RICARDOS. Sare, if I give it to you, and it does 'im 'arm, what will my
daughter say? This is a bad matter for me. He behaved well to her; and
she is attached to him still; sometimes she is crying yet because she
lost him. And now we betray him, perhaps, who knows? This is very
unpleasant for me. [Taking up the paper] Here it gives the number of
another note--a 'undred-pound note. I 'ave that too. [He takes a note
from his breast pocket].

GRAVITER. How much did he give you in all?

RICARDOS. For my daughter's settlement one thousand pounds. I
understand he did not wish to give a cheque because of his marriage.
So I did not think anything about it being in notes, you see.

TWISDEN. When did he give you this money?

RICARDOS. The middle of Octobare last.

TWISDEN. [Suddenly looking up] Mr Ricardos, was it Captain Dancy?

RICARDOS. [Again wiping his forehead] Gentlemen, I am so fond of my
daughter. I have only the one, and no wife.

TWISDEN. [With an effort] Yes, yes; but I must know.

RICARDOS. Sare, if I tell you, will you give me your good word that my
daughter shall not hear of it?

TWISDEN. So far as we are able to prevent it--certainly.

RICARDOS. Sare, I trust you.--It was Captain Dancy.

A long pause.

GRAVITER [Suddenly] Were you blackmailing him?

TWISDEN. [Holding up his hand] My partner means, did you press him for
this settlement?

RICARDOS. I did think it my duty to my daughter to ask that he make
compensation to her.

TWISDEN. With threats that you would tell his wife?

RICARDOS. [With a shrug] Captain Dancy was a man of honour. He said:
"Of course I will do this." I trusted him. And a month later I did
remind him, and he gave me this money for her. I do not know where he
got it--I do not know. Gentlemen, I have invested it all on her--every
penny-except this note, for which I had the purpose to buy her a
necklace. That is the sweared truth.

TWISDEN. I must keep this note. [He touches the hundred-pound note]
You will not speak of this to anyone. I may recognise that yo