“Tell us, tell us—from the beginning!” Jos cried, at the end of her patience. “About this money? What did Arthur tell you? What did he tell you—this morning?”
Then for the first time Clement saw what was in question, and he braced himself to meet the shock which he foresaw. “He told us,” he said, “what Mr. Griffin had consented to do—that he had given him securities for twelve thousand pounds for the use of the bank and to support its credit. He had the stock with him, and he received from the bank, in return for it, an undertaking to replace the amount two months after date with interest at seven per cent. It was thought best that he should take it to London himself, as it was so large a sum and time was everything. And he went by the coach this morning—to realize the money.”
Josina shivered. “He took it without authority,” she said, her voice low.
“He stole it,” the Squire said, “out of that cupboard.”
“Oh, but that’s impossible, sir!” Clement replied with eagerness. He felt an immense relief, for he thought that he saw light. He took note of the Squire’s condition, and he fancied that his memory, if not his mind, had given way. He had forgotten what he had done. That was it! “That’s impossible, sir,” he repeated firmly. “He had a proper transfer of the stock—India Stock it was—signed and witnessed and all in order.”
“Signed and witnessed?” the Squire ejaculated. “Signed and—signed, your grandmother! So that’s your story, is it? Signed and witnessed, eh?”
But Clement was beginning to be angry. “Yes, sir,” he said. “That is our story, and it is true.” He thought that he had hit on the truth, and he clung to it. The Squire had signed and the next minute had forgotten the whole transaction—Clement had heard of such cases. “He had the transfer with him,” he continued, “signed by you and witnessed by himself and—and Miss Griffin. I saw it myself. I saw the signatures, and I have seen yours, sir, often enough on a cheque to know it. The transfer was perfectly in order.”
“In whose favor, young man?”
“Our brokers’, sir.”
The Squire flared up. “I did not sign it!” he cried. “It’s a lie, sir! I signed nothing! Nothing!”