Page 539 (1/1)

'I don't know that it's irregular at all'

'Well;--it didn't reach you in a very confirestaffe can have been at to wish to give up his title-deeds without getting anything for theestaffe and us'

'Just so;--but as Mr Longestaffe and you have jeopardised my client's property it is natural that I should make a few remarks I think you'd have made a few remarks yourself, Mr Bideawhile, if the case had been reversed I shall bring the matter before the Lord Mayor, you know' To this Mr Bideawhile said not a word 'And I think I understand you now that you do not intend to insist on the signature as being genuine'

'I say nothing about it, Mr Squercuenuine'

'My client's oath, Mr Bideawhile'

'I'm afraid your client is not always very clear as to what he does'

'I don't knohat you mean by that, Mr Bideawhile I fancy that if I were to speak in that way of your client you would be very angry with entleave the letter into his son's hands, so that, even if such a freak should have coned it and sent it off? If I understand, Mr Longestaffe says that he locked the letter up in a drawer in the very room which Melmotte occupied, and that he afterwards found the drawer open It won't, I suppose, be alleged that my client knew so little what he was about that he broke open the drawer in order that he et at the letter Look at it whichever way you will, he did not sign it, Mr Bideawhile'

'I have never said he did All I say is that we had fair ground for supposing that it was his letter I really don't know that I can say anything ree in the saether in this matter'

'I won't ad that your client by his fault has jeopardised his own interests and those of my client, whilethe matter forward before the Lord Mayor to-ation with reference to a charge of fraud I presu the letter into court'