He laughed--or pretended to.
"That is precisely what I not only imagine, but fervently believe."
"Then your belief is a very foolish one. I assure you that you were never more in error in your life."
He glanced at a gold watch which he took out of his waistcoat pocket.
"Why should we waste time over these small quibbles? Are we children, you and I? I have an engagement shortly. If you have not the sum in the house in gold I will take what you have in cash, and the balance in an open cheque to bearer."
"You will have neither cash nor cheque from me. I will not give you one single penny."
"Do you mean it?"
He replaced his watch in his pocket. He rose from his chair. There was, in his bearing a return to the manner of "the Villain at the Vic." The fellow was theatrical all through. All his moods were equally unreal. At the same time there was something about the change which I did not altogether relish.
"Of course I mean it. You don't suppose that I am going to be robbed and plundered with impunity by you."
"You prefer to hang?"