Dancy.  Not?

Twisden.  I have very serious news for you.

Dancy. [Wincing and collecting himself] Oh!

Twisden.  These two notes. [He uncovers the notes] After the Court rose yesterday we had a man called Ricardos here. [A pause] Is there any need for me to say more?

Dancy. [Unflinching] No.  What now?

Twisden.  Our duty was plain; we could not go on with the case.  I have consulted Sir Frederic.  He felt—­he felt that he must throw up his brief, and he will do that the moment the Court sits.  Now I want to talk to you about what you’re going to do.

Dancy.  That’s very good of you, considering.

Twisden.  I don’t pretend to understand, but I imagine you may have done this in a moment of reckless bravado, feeling, perhaps, that as you gave the mare to De Levis, the money was by rights as much yours as his.

     Stopping Dancy, who is about to speak, with a gesture.

To satisfy a debt of honour to this—­lady; and, no doubt, to save your wife from hearing of it from the man Ricardos.  Is that so?

Dancy.  To the life.

Twisden.  It was mad, Captain Dancy, mad!  But the question now is:  What do you owe to your wife?  She doesn’t dream—­I suppose?

Dancy. [With a twitching face] No.

Twisden.  We can’t tell what the result of this collapse will be.  The police have the theft in hand.  They may issue a warrant.  The money could be refunded, and the costs paid—­somehow that can all be managed.  But it may not help.  In any case, what end is served by your staying in the country?  You can’t save your honour—­that’s gone.  You can’t save your wife’s peace of mind.  If she sticks to you—­do you think she will?

Dancy.  Not if she’s wise.

Twisden.  Better go!  There’s a war in Morocco.

Dancy. [With a bitter smile] Good old Morocco!

Twisden.  Will you go, then, at once, and leave me to break it to your wife?

Dancy.  I don’t know yet.

Twisden.  You must decide quickly, to catch a boat train.  Many a man has made good.  You’re a fine soldier.

Dancy.  There are alternatives.

Twisden.  Now, go straight from this office.  You’ve a passport, I suppose; you won’t need a visa for France, and from there you can find means to slip over.  Have you got money on you? [Dancy nods].  We will see what we can do to stop or delay proceedings.

Dancy.  It’s all damned kind of you. [With difficulty] But I must think of my wife.  Give me a few minutes.

Twisden.  Yes, yes; go in there and think it out.

     He goes to the door, Right, and opens it.  Dancy passes him and goes
     out.  Twisden rings a bell and stands waiting.