"Why then, Mr. McTaggart, to put it quite plainly, ... well, now, perhaps I ought to say this first. You know my cousin William? The Professor?"
"Yes," said Mr. McTaggart, for the sixth time and with a touch of savagery in his voice, "I do. I have been in this house with him for over twenty-four hours."
"He tells me, Mr. McTaggart," began the Home Secretary seriously and half an octave lower—"mind you, I don't say I believe it!"
"No?" said McTaggart, "Well, go on."
"He tells me he has proof, scientific proof— Mind you, I don't say I believe him! I'm only saying what he said."
"Yes," said McTaggart, for the seventh time, and with more patience.
"Scientific proof, I say—not personal, you understand. No personal insinuation whatever—only scientific proof that the emerald is or was—shall I say, has been, upon your—damn it all!—person."
McTaggart started up. The issue was joined. He behaved very well.
"Mr. de Bohun," he said, in a slow but frank and straightforward way, "you are not bound to believe me. But not only have I not the emerald, but I will not even take the trouble to swear I have not got it. I have not got the Emerald. Is that clear?"
"Yes," said his unfortunate host. With a world of apology in his voice and stretching forth a deprecating hand! "Oh, yes, Mr. McTaggart! Yes, quite clear!"