I was absolutely
certain of it at the time; I have been absolutely certain of it ever
since. A sum of five hundred pounds was afterward found by the house to
have been that day wanting from the bag, from Clissold's memorandum, and
from the entries in my book. Clissold, being questioned, stood upon his
perfect clearness in the matter, and emphatically declared that he asked
no better than to be tested by 'Tregarthen's book.' My book was
examined, and the entry of five hundred pounds was not there."
"How not there," said the captain, "when you made it yourself?"
Tregarthen continued:--
"I was then questioned. Had I made the entry? Certainly I had. The
house produced my book, and it was not there. I could not deny my book;
I could not deny my writing. I knew there must be forgery by some one;
but the writing was wonderfully like mine, and I could impeach no one if
the house could not. I was required to pay the money back. I did so;
and I left the house, almost broken-hearted, rather than remain
there,--even if I could have done so,--with a dark shadow of suspicion
always on me.
Pages:
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59