“Nonsense, my dear fellow! We are old friends, but that was entirely a business transaction.”
“Yes, of course it was.”
“Five hundred pounds were stolen.”
“Yes, and I was all right.”
“Exactly. Why should you suppose it was your money?”
“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.”