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.

     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.