He turns and goes out slowly, Left Forward, followed by Graviter.

Twisden. [To himself] Young Dancy! [He pins the two notes together and places them in an envelope, then stands motionless except for his eyes and hands, which restlessly express the disturbance within him.]

     Graviter returns, carefully shuts the door, and going up to him,
     hands him Ricardos’ card.

[Looking at the card] Villa Benvenuto.  This will have to be verified, but I’m afraid it’s true.  That man was not acting.

Graviter.  What’s to be done about Dancy?

Twisden.  Can you understand a gentleman—?

Graviter.  I don’t know, sir.  The war loosened “form” all over the place.  I saw plenty of that myself.  And some men have no moral sense.  From the first I’ve had doubts.

Twisden.  We can’t go on with the case.

Graviter.  Phew! . . . [A moment’s silence] Gosh!  It’s an awful thing for his wife.

Twisden.  Yes.

Graviter [Touching the envelope] Chance brought this here, sir.  That man won’t talk—­he’s too scared.

Twisden.  Gilman.

Graviter.  Too respectable.  If De Levis got those notes back, and the rest of the money, anonymously?

Twisden.  But the case, Graviter; the case.

Graviter.  I don’t believe this alters what I’ve been thinking.

Twisden.  Thought is one thing—­knowledge another.  There’s duty to our profession.  Ours is a fine calling.  On the good faith of solicitors a very great deal hangs. [He crosses to the hearth as if warmth would help him].

Graviter.  It’ll let him in for a prosecution.  He came to us in confidence.

Twisden.  Not as against the law.

Graviter.  No.  I suppose not. [A pause] By Jove, I don’t like losing this case.  I don’t like the admission we backed such a wrong ’un.

Twisden.  Impossible to go on.  Apart from ourselves, there’s Sir Frederic.  We must disclose to him—­can’t let him go on in the dark.  Complete confidence between solicitor and counsel is the essence of professional honour.

Graviter.  What are you going to do then, sir?

Twisden.  See Dancy at once.  Get him on the phone.

Graviter. [Taking up the telephone] Get me Captain Dancy’s flat. . . .  What? . . .[To Twisden] Mrs Dancy is here.  That’s a propos with a vengeance.  Are you going to see her, sir?

Twisden. [After a moment’s painful hesitation] I must.

Graviter. [Telephoning] Bring Mrs Dancy up. [He turns to the window].

     Mabel Dandy is shown in, looking very pale.  Twisden advances from
     the fire, and takes her hand.