Whi. The Colonel is extremely punctilious about money matters. Oh, I quite forgot—he further desires me to say that from this moment he proposes to discontinue your weekly payment.
Tom (aghast). What!
Whi. From this moment your little pension dries up.
Tom. Do you mean to tell me that he intends deliberately to break his plighted word?
Whi. That is precisely what I intended to convey.
Tom. And cut off my only source of sustenance?
Whi. Absolutely.
Tom. But hang it, man, don’t he know that his liberty and wealth are at my mercy?
Whi. Yes, he knows that; but he’s prepared to risk it. You see, General, Messrs. Docket and Tape are looking out for Tom Cobb. Tom Cobb’s wanted. I don’t know what he’s done, but people talk about a forged will. He’s advertised for every day. You may have noticed it.
Tom. Yes, I’ve remarked it.