“No.”
“And he gave you twenty thousand pounds just out of generosity?”
“Yes. Yes, Mr. Verrinder.”
“It was a fairish amount of money for messenger fees, wasn’t it? And it came to you while you were carrying those letters to Nicky?”
“No! Sir Joseph had been ill. He had had a stroke of paralysis.”
“And you were afraid he might have another?”
“No!”
“You were not afraid of that?”
“Yes, of course I was, but–– What are you trying to make me say––that I went to him and demanded the money?”
“That idea occurs to you, does it?”