'I don't know that it's irregular at all.'

'Well;--it didn't reach you in a very confirmatory manner. We'll just say that. What Mr Longestaffe can have been at to wish to give up his title-deeds without getting anything for them--'

'Excuse me, Mr Squercum, but that's between Mr Longestaffe and us.'

'Just so;--but as Mr Longestaffe and you have jeopardised my client's property it is natural that I should make a few remarks. I think you'd have made a few remarks yourself, Mr Bideawhile, if the case had been reversed. I shall bring the matter before the Lord Mayor, you know.' To this Mr Bideawhile said not a word. 'And I think I understand you now that you do not intend to insist on the signature as being genuine.'

'I say nothing about it, Mr Squercum. I think you'll find it very hard to prove that it's not genuine.'

'My client's oath, Mr Bideawhile.'

'I'm afraid your client is not always very clear as to what he does.'

'I don't know what you mean by that, Mr Bideawhile. I fancy that if I were to speak in that way of your client you would be very angry with me. Besides, what does it all amount to? Will the old gentleman say that he gave the letter into his son's hands, so that, even if such a freak should have come into my client's head, he could have signed it and sent it off? If I understand, Mr Longestaffe says that he locked the letter up in a drawer in the very room which Melmotte occupied, and that he afterwards found the drawer open. It won't, I suppose, be alleged that my client knew so little what he was about that he broke open the drawer in order that he might get at the letter. Look at it whichever way you will, he did not sign it, Mr Bideawhile.'

'I have never said he did. All I say is that we had fair ground for supposing that it was his letter. I really don't know that I can say anything more.'

'Only that we are to a certain degree in the same boat together in this matter.'

'I won't admit even that, Mr Squercum.'

'The difference being that your client by his fault has jeopardised his own interests and those of my client, while my client has not been in fault at all. I shall bring the matter forward before the Lord Mayor to-morrow, and as at present advised shall ask for an investigation with reference to a charge of fraud. I presume you will be served with a subpoena to bring the letter into court.'




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