“Did you exchange a five-pound note last night?” said Mr Ranee.
“I did,” said Fred, “in a payment I made to Mr Wilson.”
“Ask Mr Wilson to step in,” said our employer.
It was evident that the matter had been gone into before; for Mr Wilson, a draper in the town, was in the partners’ room, and made his appearance directly.
“You received a five-pound note of Mr Frederick Gordon last night?” said Mr Ranee.
Mr Wilson nodded acquiescence, and then stood wiping his hands upon his pocket-handkerchief.
“Certain?—are you certain? and have you the note, Mr Wilson?”
That gentleman nodded again, and tapped his breast pocket, as much as to say, “here it is.”
“Pray where did you obtain that note, Mr Gordon?” said our employer.
“It was a part of my salary paid to me a fortnight since.”