Part 126 (1/2)
”Never mind how I know it, and never mind talking about the money I didn't lose.”
”But you did, Luke Vine, and heavily. Of course I am going to refund you the money.”
”You can't, man.”
”Can't?”
”No; because I've got it safely put away in my pocket-book.”
Van Heldre made an impatient gesticulation.
”I tell you I have. The same notes, same numbers, just as you laid them all together.”
”Nonsense, man! Come, Luke Vine, my dear old friend, let me settle this matter with you in a business-like way; I shall not be happy till I do.”
”Then you'll have to wait a long time for happiness, John,” said Uncle Luke, smiling, ”for you are not going to pay me.”
”But, my dear Luke.”
”But, my dear John! you men who turn over your thousands are as careless as boys over small amounts, as you call them.”
”Oh, come, Mr Luke Vine, sir,” said Crampton st.u.r.dily; ”there's no carelessness in this office.”
”Bah! Clerk!” cried Uncle Luke. ”Careful, very. Then how was it the money was stolen?”
”Well, sir, n.o.body can guard against violence,” said Crampton sourly.
”Yes, they can, you pompous old antiquity. I could. I'm not a business man. I don't have ledgers and iron safes and a big office, but I took care of the money better than you did.”
”My dear Luke Vine, what do you mean?” cried Van Heldre, after giving Crampton a look which seemed to say, ”Don't take any notice.”
”Mean? Why, what I said. You people were so careless that I didn't trust you. I had no confidence.”
”Well, sir, you had confidence enough to place five hundred pounds in our house,” said Crampton gruffly.
”Yes, and you lost it.”
”Yes, sir, and our house offered you a cheque for the amount, and you sent it back.”
”Of course I did. I didn't want my money twice over, did I?”
”Is this meant for a riddle, Luke?” said Van Heldre, annoyed, and yet amused.
”Riddle? No. I only want to p.r.i.c.k that old bubble Crampton, who is so proud of the way in which he can take care of money, and who has always been these last ten years flouris.h.i.+ng that iron safe in my face.”
”Really, Mr Luke Vine!”
”Hold your tongue, sir! Wasn't my five hundred pounds--new, crisp Bank of England notes--in your charge?”
”Yes, sir, in our charge.”