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 all 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.