ble, and covers them with a sheet of blotting-paper;
stands a moment preparing himself, then goes to the door of the
waiting-room, opens it, and says:] Now, Captain Dancy. Sorry to have
kept you waiting.

DANCY. [Entering] WINSOR came to me yesterday about General Canynge's
evidence. Is that what you wanted to speak to me about?

TWISDEN. No. It isn't that.

DANCY. [Looking at his wrist watch] By me it's just on the half-hour,
sir.

TWISDEN. Yes. I don't want you to go to the Court.

DANCY. Not?

TWISDEN. I have very serious news for you.

DANCY. [Wincing and collecting himself] Oh!

TWISDEN. These two notes. [He uncovers the notes] After the Court rose
yesterday we had a man called Ricardos here. [A pause] Is there any need
for me to say more?

DANCY. [Unflinching] No. What now?

TWISDEN. Our duty was plain; we could not go on with the case. I have
consulted Sir Frederic. He felt--he felt that he must throw up his
brief, and he will do that the moment the Court sits. Now I want to talk
to you about what you're going to do.

DANCY. That's very good of you, considering.

TWISDEN. I don't pretend to understand, but I imagine you may have done
this in a moment of reckless bravado, feeling, perhaps, that as you gave
the mare to De Levis, the money was by rights as much yours as his.

Stopping DANCY, who is about to speak, with a gesture.

To satisfy a debt of honour to this--lady; and, no doubt, to save your
wife from hearing of it from the man Ricardos. Is that so?

DANCY. To the life.

TWISDEN. It was mad, Captain Dancy, mad! But the question now is: What
do you owe to your wife? She doesn't dream--I suppose?

DANCY. [With a twitching face] No.

TWISDEN. We can't tell what the result of this collapse will be. The
police have the theft in hand. They may issue a warrant. The money
could be refunded, and the costs paid--somehow that can all be managed.
But it may not help. In any case, what end is served by your staying in
the country? You can't save your honour--that's gone. You can't save
your wife's peace of mind. If she sticks to you--do you think she will?

DANCY. Not if she's wise.

TWISDEN. Better go! There's a war in Morocco.

DANCY. [With a bitter smile] Good old Morocco!

TWISDEN. Will you go, then, at once, and leave me to break it to your
wife?

DANCY. I don't know yet.

TWISDEN. You must decide quickly, to catch a boat train.