This affair, therefore, must be killed beyond
any manner of doubt. I am handing over to you four thousand pounds, which
is a very considerable sum; but in return for it I desire that my future
immunity be purchased by your signatures to this document."
Mr. Cheape rose at once to his feet. "A document!" he observed. "Let me
read it." Mr. Bundercombe handed it over. Mr. Cheape read it out aloud:
"We, the undersigned, desire to apologize most sincerely to Mr. Joseph H.
Bundercombe for any allegations we have made against him with regard to a
certain episode that took place on March eighteenth, or thereabout, in the
flat of Mrs. Delaporte. We admit that we were mistaken in the supposition
which we certainly entertained at the time--that Mr. Bundercombe had been
guilty of cheating--and we withdraw such allegations unreservedly, and
tender our apologies."
"Ridiculous!" Captain Bannister exclaimed.
"Absurd!" Mrs. Delaporte echoed.
"I may add," Mr. Cheape joined in, "that I could not possibly recommend my
clients to sign such a document."
Mr. Bundercombe took up his hat.
"When I started out this morning," he declared, "I felt convinced that
this conference would come to nothing. I told Mr.
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