“Suppose? Because it was mine—my new Bank of England notes.”
“How do you know that?”
“Never mind how I know it, and never mind talking about the money I didn’t lose.”
“But you did, Luke Vine, and heavily. Of course I am going to refund you the money.”
“You can’t, man.”
“Can’t?”
“No; because I’ve got it safely put away in my pocket-book.”
Van Heldre made an impatient gesticulation.
“I tell you I have. The same notes, same numbers, just as you laid them all together.”
“Nonsense, man! Come, Luke Vine, my dear old friend, let me settle this matter with you in a business-like way; I shall not be happy till I do.”