human
What is the jest, Mr. Morgan?
gpt
Jest? Clifford, you're a funny one! you're all the jest I want.
human
Sir!
gpt
I give you my word, my dear fellow-- Morgan advanced, with the apparent intention of laying his hand upon the other's shoulder; Clifford retreated; Morgan stared.
human
What's the matter? Why do you draw back?
gpt
You will be able to say anything you wish to say to me from where you are.
human
Oh yes, I'm quite able to say to you all I wish from where I am; or from anywhere. Don't you think, Mr. Clifford, you're cutting it a trifle fine?
gpt
I don't understand.
human
No? Surely you're not dull. I beg you to believe I'm not. Haven't I told you I'm Mr. Oldfield's confidential agent?
gpt
You have, sir; though what especial interest that fact should have for me I still fail to understand; and yet I believe that I am not dull beyond the average man. Mr. Nash, while Mr. Morgan is endeavouring to find words with which to convey his meaning to my comprehension, may I again ask you how I can place myself in immediate communication with Mr. Oldfield?
human
You miserable hypocrite! trying to play the innocent with us! asking how you can place yourself in communication with Mr. Oldfield, when you know he's dead!
gpt
Dead! Mr. Oldfield dead, Mr. Morgan!
human
Stop that game of pretending, or I shan't be able to keep my hands off you! Not only is Mr. Oldfield dead, and you know it, but you killed him!
gpt
Killed him! I! Mr. Nash, is your friend sane?
human
Did ever rogue play the hypocrite so brazenly? and actually I've one of the weapons with which he killed him on me! and here it is. You killed him, Mr. Clifford, with that.
gpt
With that? And what is that? It looks to me rather a singular weapon with which to commit murder.
human
Does it? you sneering villain! When Brown does all in his power to make of Smith an honest man, and Smith turns out to be a blackguard and a thief, do you think that isn't a blow to Brown? It was that kind of blow killed Joseph Oldfield; it was the shock of learning that you were a forger.
gpt
Learning that I was a forger! Mr. Morgan, you--you said just now that you found it difficult to keep your hands off me; now I'm finding it difficult to keep mine off you. What justification have you for the statement you have just made, that I am a forger?
human
Isn't that justification enough?
gpt
I repeat the question I put to you just now--what is that?
human
It's news to you that it's one of the bills you forged?
gpt
One? Do you charge me with forging others?
human
I don't know what you got for them, Mr. Clifford, but you forged bills to the face value of over forty thousand pounds. Are incidents of the kind of such frequent occurrence in your career that it is necessary to recall this one to your recollection?
gpt
And do you seriously accuse me of forging bills for more than forty thousand pounds? Was ever anything heard like it?
human
Often; there have been plenty of scoundrels before you, if you find that any consolation.
gpt
Don't imagine that because I endeavour to retain my self-control in the midst of this--this sudden nightmare that I am incapable of showing resentment; if that is what you imagine, you are wrong, Mr. Morgan. What grounds have you for asserting that I forged that bill, or any bill?
human
Mr. Clifford, drop the mask; the time for bluff has gone; try to be candid. You see, Mr. Nash and I know all about it.
gpt
Do you? It so happens that I don't. I ask you again, what grounds have you for asserting that I've committed forgery? Don't be vague; be specific.
human
I happen to know the man to whom you gave the bills.
gpt
Do you? What's his name?
human
Sir Henry Trevor.
gpt
Sir Henry Trevor? Harry Trevor? Do you venture to affirm that Harry Trevor says he got forged bills from me, or any bills?
human
He took them to the discounters; when they asked where he got them from, he said they came from you. What he got for them, or what share you had of the plunder, I can't say; at present I'd rather not know; these are details which may come out at the Old Bailey.