Well, that man was taken aback.  If I’m a judge, Mr Twisden, he was taken aback, not to speak in a guilty way, but he was, as you might say, flummoxed.  “Now,” I said to him, “where did you get it—­that’s the point?” He took his time to answer, and then he said:  “Well, Mr Gilman,” he said, “you know me; I am an honourable man.  I can’t tell you offhand, but I am above the board.”  He’s foreign, you know, in his expressions.  “Yes,” I said, “that’s all very well,” I said, “but here I’ve got a stolen note and you’ve got the value for it.  Now I tell you,” I said, “what I’m going to do; I’m going straight with this note to Mr Jacob Twisden, who’s got this Dancy-De Levis case in ’and.  He’s a well-known Society lawyer,” I said, “of great experience.”  “Oh!” he said, “that is what you do?”—­funny the way he speaks!  “Then I come with you!”—­And I’ve got him in the cab below.  I want to tell you everything before he comes up.  On the way I tried to get something out of him, but I couldn’t—­I could not.  “This is very awkward,” I said at last.  “It is, Mr Gilman,” was his reply; and he began to talk about his Sicilian claret—­a very good wine, mind you; but under the circumstances it seemed to me uncalled for.  Have I made it clear to you?

Twisden. [Who has listened with extreme attention] Perfectly, Mr Gilman.  I’ll send down for him. [He touches a hand-bell].

     The young Clerk appears at the door, Left Forward.

A gentleman in a taxi-waiting.  Ask him to be so good as to step up.  Oh! and send Mr Graviter here again.

     The young Clerk goes out.

Gilman.  As I told you, sir, I’ve been followin’ this case.  It’s what you might call piquant.  And I should be very glad if it came about that this helped Captain Dancy.  I take an interest, because, to tell you the truth, [Confidentially] I don’t like—­well, not to put too fine a point upon it ’Ebrews.  They work harder; they’re more sober; they’re honest; and they’re everywhere.  I’ve nothing against them, but the fact is—­they get on so.

Twisden. [Cocking an eye] A thorn in the flesh, Mr Gilman.

Gilman.  Well, I prefer my own countrymen, and that’s the truth of it.

     As he speaks, Graviter comes in by the door Left Forward.

Twisden. [Pointing to the newspaper and the note] Mr Gilman has brought this, of which he is holder for value.  His customer, who changed it three days ago, is coming up.

Graviter.  The fifty-pounder.  I see. [His face is long and reflective].

Young Clerk. [Entering] Mr Ricardos, sir.

     He goes out.  Ricardos is a personable, Italian-looking man in a
     frock coat, with a dark moustachioed face and dark hair a little
     grizzled.  He looks anxious, and bows.

Twisden.  Mr Ricardos?  My name is Jacob Twisden.  My partner. [Holding up a finger, as Ricardos would speak] Mr Gilman has told us about this note.  You took it to him, he says, three days ago; that is, on Monday, and received cash for it?