‘Ah, it’s a misfortune to have a bad memory in business. I trust you will not forget to do justice to the motives which brought me to you.’
‘Oh, I’ll do your motives full justice,’ answered Shield with a grunt which would have developed into a coarse guffaw but for a strong effort of self-restraint.
Coutts felt this indignity, although he did not feel the contemptible position in which he was placed, because he still believed that he had perfectly concealed the ulterior objects he had in bringing the supposed forgery directly under Shield’s notice.
‘That is all I ask, and I may say good-morning. I hope our next meeting will be on more agreeable business.—Good-day, Phil. I thought you had got yourself into a particularly nasty mess, and was doing my best to save you from the consequences.’
‘Thank you,’ said Philip, but there was none of his usual cordiality in voice or look.
‘Well, there has been a mistake—somewhere. I suppose it must be put down to me. However, we can afford to let it drop now.’
‘Best thing you can do,’ growled Shield.
Coutts paid no attention to the remark.
‘You’ll find bad news when you get to your chambers, Phil. There was a bonfire at Ringsford last night, and the guv’nor has got hurt.’
Philip was prevented from questioning him by Mr Shield.