Gilman. [Doubtfully] Mr Jacob Twisden?

Graviter. [Smiling] His partner.  Graviter my name is.

Gilman.  Mr Twisden’s not in, then?

Graviter.  No.  He’s at the Courts.  They’re just up; he should be in directly.  But he’ll be busy.

Gilman.  Old Mr Jacob Twisden—­I’ve heard of him.

Graviter.  Most people have.

Gilman.  It’s this Dancy-De Levis case that’s keepin’ him at the Courts,
I suppose?

     Graviter nods.

Won’t be finished for a day or two?

     Graviter shakes his head.  No.

Astonishin’ the interest taken in it.

Graviter.  As you say.

Gilman.  The Smart Set, eh?  This Captain Dancy got the D.S.O., didn’t he?

     Graviter nods.

Sad to have a thing like that said about you.  I thought he gave his evidence well; and his wife too.  Looks as if this De Levis had got some private spite.  Searchy la femme, I said to Mrs Gilman only this morning, before I—­

Graviter.  By the way, sir, what is your business?

Gilman.  Well, my business here—­No, if you’ll excuse me, I’d rather wait and see old Mr Jacob Twisden.  It’s delicate, and I’d like his experience.

Graviter. [With a shrug] Very well; then, perhaps, you’ll go in there. [He moves towards the door, Left Back].

Gilman.  Thank you. [Following] You see, I’ve never been mixed up with the law—­

Graviter. [Opening the door] No?

Gilman.  And I don’t want to begin.  When you do, you don’t know where you’ll stop, do you?  You see, I’ve only come from a sense of duty; and —­other reasons.

Graviter.  Not uncommon.

Gilman. [Producing card] This is my card.  Gilman’s—­several branches, but this is the ’ead.

Graviter. [Scrutinising card] Exactly.

Gilman.  Grocery—­I daresay you know me; or your wife does.  They say old Mr Jacob Twisden refused a knighthood.  If it’s not a rude question, why was that?

Graviter.  Ask him, sir; ask him.

Gilman.  I said to my wife at the time, “He’s holdin’ out for a baronetcy.”

     Graviter Closes the door with an exasperated smile.

Young Clerk. [Opening the door, Left Forward] Mr Winsor, sir, and Miss Orme.

     They enter, and the Clerk withdraws.

Graviter.  How d’you do, Miss Orme?  How do you do, Winsor?

Winsor.  Twisden not back, Graviter?

Graviter.  Not yet.

Winsor.  Well, they’ve got through De Levis’s witnesses.  Sir Frederick was at the very top of his form.  It’s looking quite well.  But I hear they’ve just subpoenaed Canynge after all.  His evidence is to be taken to-morrow.