“Because I wanted to see you, for I couldn’t trust you to send me a farthing.”
“How was it? You must have managed very badly.”
“The numbers of those bonds were known, though you were so sure they could not be, and they are advertised, and traced to having passed through my hands. That is certain to bring it out that I passed the forged cheque, too. Bad management yourself! However, there’s no good in blaming one another. Have you got the two hundred?”
“It is a large sum; but still, if it will get you out of your scrape, I will make the sacrifice. Only—”
“Get me out of my scrape! If I am taken, my fine fellow, you will be taken too.”
“Why, what good would it do you to pull me in with you?” asked Daireh.
“You know precious well. If all the facts came out I should get about two years, and you fourteen at least. You actually took the bonds; you forged the cheque. I was only your tool, employed to cash the things.”
“And am I to have you sucking me like a leech all my life?” cried Daireh in a shrill voice, stamping his foot.
“That is as it may be; you must take your chance of that. Perhaps you had sooner I gave myself up and told the whole story. I am not sure that it would not be the best thing for me to do.”
“That is nonsense. Here is the money. You know how to get to South America, you said.”