“Not to the public perhaps,” said Thickens slowly, “but Sir Gordon and Mr Dixon ought to know.”
“No, no,” cried Hallam, “there is no need. Don’t you see, man, that the money will be made right?”
“No, sir, I only see one thing,” said Thickens sturdily, “and that is that I have my duty to do.”
“But you will ruin me, Thickens.”
“You’ve ruined yourself, Mr Hallam; I’ve waited too long.”
“Stop, Mr Thickens,” said Bayle. “I pay this heavy sum of money to save Mr Hallam from utter ruin. The bank will be the gainer by twenty thousand pounds.”
“Twenty-one thousand you offered, sir,” said Thickens.
“Exactly. More if it is needed. If you expose this terrible affair to Sir Gordon and Mr Dixon they may feel it their duty to hand Mr Hallam over to the hands of justice. He must be saved from that.”
“What can I do, sir? There, then,” said Thickens, “since you put it so I will keep to it, but only on one condition.”
“And what is that?”