James Long listened in indignant astonishment.
“That is untrue, sir. I made no excuse, but handed Mr. Mullins the amount in full.”
“There is a very extraordinary discrepancy in your statements. You say that he wrote out a receipt?”
“Yes, sir.”
“It is a pity that you can’t produce it.”
“Yes,” chimed in Mullins, with a sneer, “it is unlucky that you cannot produce it.”
Then came a sensation.
“I can produce it,” said Long. “The receipt has been found,” and he drew out the slip of paper and passed it to Mr. Fairchild.
The face of Mullins was a study. His amazement was deep and genuine.
“It must be a forgery,” he said. “Mr. Long can’t possibly have a receipt.”