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 you were a holder for value received—­others might take a different view.  Good-day, sir.  Graviter, see Mr Ricardos out, and take his address.

Ricardos. [Pressing his hands over the breast of his frock coat—­with a sigh] Gentlemen, I beg you—­remember what I said. [With a roll of his eyes] My daughter—­I am not happee.  Good-day.