Dr. Lively looked over the papers carefully, and, being satisfied, opened his purse to make the cash payment. If the agent's eyes had not been eagerly watching the purse for the forthcoming bills, but instead had been fixed on Dr. Lively's face, they would have seen in it first a look utterly blank, then one of intense alarm.
"Excuse me a moment," he said as he closed his purse. He left the office and hurried to Mrs. Lively's sitting-room.
"Well, is the deed done?" the lady asked with the complacent air of a land-holder.
"What did you do with the money?" the doctor asked anxiously. "I thought you put it in my purse."
"I did," replied Mrs. Lively, her eyes dilating with alarm.
"It isn't here," the doctor asserted. "You must be mistaken."
"I am not mistaken," said the lady, panting with alarm. "I did put it in your purse. You've dropped it out somewhere."
"That is impossible: I haven't opened my purse since those bills were brought into the house until just now in my office. You must have put the bills somewhere else. Look in your purse."
"I tell you I put the money in your purse," replied Mrs. Lively with asperity, at the same time opening her purse with an impatient movement. "It isn't here: I knew it wasn't. I tell you again I put it in your purse, and you've dropped it out somewhere."
"But I haven't opened the purse till a moment since in my office," the doctor reiterated.