"It's news to you that it's one of the bills you forged?"
"One? Do you charge me with forging others?"
"I don't know what you got for them, Mr. Clifford, but you forged bills to the face value of over forty thousand pounds. Are incidents of the kind of such frequent occurrence in your career that it is necessary to recall this one to your recollection?"
"And do you seriously accuse me of forging bills for more than forty thousand pounds? Was ever anything heard like it?"
"Often; there have been plenty of scoundrels before you, if you find that any consolation."
"Don't imagine that because I endeavour to retain my self-control in the midst of this--this sudden nightmare that I am incapable of showing resentment; if that is what you imagine, you are wrong, Mr. Morgan. What grounds have you for asserting that I forged that bill, or any bill?"
"Mr. Clifford, drop the mask; the time for bluff has gone; try to be candid. You see, Mr. Nash and I know all about it."
"Do you? It so happens that I don't. I ask you again, what grounds have you for asserting that I've committed forgery? Don't be vague; be specific."
"I happen to know the man to whom you gave the bills."
"Do you? What's his name?"