“Why it has passed through your hands?”
“Has it? well a good many of them pass through my hands in the course of the year. I wish a few of 'em would stop on the road.”
“This one did. It stuck to your fingers, as the phrase goes.”
“I don't know what you mean, sir,” said Jefferies haughtily.
“You stole it,” explained Meadows quietly.
“Take care,” cried Jefferies in a loud quaver—“Take care what you say! I'll have my action of defamation against you double quick if you dare to say such a thing of me.”
“So be it. You will want witnesses. Defamation is no defamation you know till the scandal is published. Call in your lodger.”
“Ugh!”
“And call your wife!” cried Meadows, raising his voice in turn.
“Heaven forbid! Don't speak so loud, for goodness' sake!”