"Nonsense!" Vincent broke in, impatiently. "They’re humbugging you, Musselburgh. Consider this for a moment. Do you imagine that George Morris handed over that £5,000, as a lump sum, without making stipulations, and very definite stipulations? Do you imagine he would be content to take the word of a man whom he considered a thief? It is absurd to think so. _Do ut facias_ would be his motto; and he would take precious good care to keep control over the money in case of non-fulfilment——" "But there is the receipt!" put in Lord Musselburgh. "A receipt—for theatrical purposes!" said Vincent, with something of contempt. "You may depend on it the money was not handed over in that unconditional fashion: that is not the way in which George Morris would do business. He has got some hold over Mr. Bethune; and he must know well enough where he is. Supposing Mr. Bethune had that money in his pocket, what is to prevent his returning to this country to-morrow? Where would be the penalty for his breaking his covenant? You don’t trust a man whom you consider a swindler; you must have some guarantee; and the guarantee means that you must be able to get at him when you choose. It stands to reason!" "Yes, I suppose so—it would seem so," said Lord Musselburgh, rather doubtfully; "but at all events it isn’t George Morris who is going to open his mouth. I’ve been to him; he declines; refers me to your family. And then, you see, Vin, I’m rather in an awkward position. I don’t want to take sides; I don’t want to be a partisan; I would rather act as the friend of all of you; but the moment I try to do anything I am met by a challenge—and a particularly inconvenient challenge it is. Do I believe with them, or do I believe with you? I told your aunt what you said about Mr. Bethune—how you described his character, and all that; but I didn’t do it as well as you; for she remains unconvinced. As you told the story, it seemed natural and plausible; but as I told it—and I was conscious of it at the time—it was less satisfactory. And mind you, if you stick to hard facts, and don’t allow for any interpretation——" "If you look through the blue spectacles, in short——" "Precisely. Well, then, you are confronted with some extremely awkward things. I don’t wonder that your aunt asks pertinently why, if you are to begin and extend this liberal construction of conduct—this allowing for motives—this convenient doctrine of forgiving everything to self-deception—I don’t wonder that she asks why anybody should be sent to prison at all." "Oh, as for that," said Vincent, frankly, "I don’t say it would be good for the commonwealth if all of us were George Bethunes. Far from it. I look upon him as a sort of magnificent lusus naturæ; and I would not have him other than he is—not in any one particular. But a nation of George Bethunes?—it would soon strike its head against the stars."