You have insulted me. Five
minutes ago I was prepared to treat you like a gentleman. I would have
accepted your resignation from the Sidney Club and your written apology.
Now I have changed my mind. You have slandered me, both by imputation and
directly."
"How much?" Mr. Bundercombe asked cheerfully.
"Five thousand pounds!" Captain Bannister answered firmly.
"How much more if I call you a lying, card-sharping swindler?" Mr.
Bundercombe demanded, with unabated good humor.
Captain Bannister looked dangerous, but he ignored the question.
"You have your terms, sir," he said. "Unless you are prepared to hand over
the sum of five thousand pounds, my solicitor, Mr. Cheape here, will at
once commence proceedings against you with reference to the affair in Mrs.
Delaporte's flat. Remember, we have four witnesses to bring into court as
to your having cheated--not including your son-in-law here, who heard your
confession. For any countercharge you might be disposed to make," Captain
Bannister concluded, "you have not a single scrap of evidence."
"Got me on toast, haven't they, Paul?" Mr. Bundercombe observed
cheerfully. "Five thousand pounds is a lot of money, Captain Bannister,"
he added. "I'll pay your taxi fare back to wherever you came from.
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