“Pay money that he got for her!” she exclaimed with sudden resentfulness. “She’s the forger, anyway; I know it!”
“Did you ever see her, Shylock?” asked Murray.
“He came alone,” replied the money-lender, “with the assignment of policy ready, and he swore to it.”
“That settles that,” said Murray with apparent conviction. “It would be a thankless task to try to prove that any one else forged the signature, and neither one of you is in a position to seek any court notoriety. Now, Shylock, after deducting the bonus and all trumped-up charges, how much did you loan?”
“Nine hundred dollars,” said the money-lender desperately.
“Try again, Shylock,” urged Murray. “You never loaned any such sum under any such circumstances.”
“If you don’t stop insulting me,” exclaimed the money-lender angrily, “I’ll quit right now and take my chances with the law.”
“You haven’t any chances with the law, Shylock,” retorted Murray. “You can make a scandal, but you can’t get a damn cent. That’s why you’re going to be reasonable. How much did you loan? You’d better be honest with me, for it’s your only chance.”
“I’ll take eight hundred dollars, with the interest charges.”
“You’ll take an even seven hundred dollars,” said Murray.