Bank of England note. If you are an honest expert, there is a wide field
for your talents; and if I do not believe you to be anything of the kind,
you have yourself to blame for my scepticism. You came here without an
introduction, without any warning of your arrival. You refuse to leave
my room. You inform me that you want money with a candour unusual among
beggars. You then ask me to inspect a forged manuscript which you either
know or suspect me to have seen before. Should you have no explanation
to offer for this outrageous intrusion, may I ask you to leave the
premises immediately?'

As he finished this somewhat pompous harangue he pointed menacingly
towards the door. He was slightly nervous, for Carrel, who was sitting
down, remained seated, his hands folded, gazing up with an insolent
childish stare. He might have been listening to an eloquent preacher
whom he thoroughly despised.

'Professor Lachsyrma,' Carrel said in a sweet winning voice, 'I will go
away if you like now, but I have nearly finished my errand and we may as
well dispatch an affair tiresome to both of us, this evening, instead of
postponing it. I want you to give me 1000_l_.'

The Professor rubbed his eyes. Was he dreaming? Was this some elaborate
practical joke? Was it the confidence trick? He seemed to lose his self-
possession, gaped on Carrel for some seconds, then controlled himself.

'And why should I give you 1000_l_.?'

'I am a blackmailer. I am a forger of manuscripts. I have more Greek in
my little finger than you have in your long body. I began to tell you my
history. I thought it might interest you. I do not propose to burden