"What do you dare to say?"
"But for the interest that this name inspires to all honest people, instead of being cited here before me, you would have been at this moment before the police."
"I do not comprehend you."
"About two months since, you discounted, through the agency of a broker, a bill for fifty-eight thousand francs, drawn by the house of Meulaert and Co., of Hamburgh, in favor of one William Smith, and payable in three months, at Grimaldi's, banker, in Paris."
"Well!"
"That bill is a forgery."
"That is not true."
"This bill is a forgery! the house of Meulaert has never contracted any engagement with William Smith; they do not know him."
"Can it be true!" cried Saint Remy, with as much surprise as indignation, "but then I have been horribly deceived, sir, for I received this bill as ready money."
"From whom?"