POS. Know my friend Ratcliffe, of course I do.
RAT. (_observing them and coming down, between them._) I regret I
cannot hold out to you any reasonable hope of recovering your
property.
POS. You don't mean that?
RAT. Why, unfortunately Mrs. Somerton is unable to give me the
slightest clue.
MRS. S. But I do possess a clue--a certain infallible one.
POS. Ah!--then where is your clue--produce your clue--what is your
clue?
MRS. S. (_looking intently at RATCLIFFE_) A paper in the handwriting
of this bold and impudent villain, (_RATCLIFFE slightly starts_)
treating the matter as a commercial transaction, and affecting to
acknowledge as a voluntary loan from me the amount of which he
plundered me.
RAT. (_quickly_) A most important document indeed, and of the utmost
consequence that I should obtain immediate possession of it.
MRS. S. (_sarcastically_) I believe you, sir; shall I fetch it?
RAT. Certainly.