Disraeli's face turned red. He half-opened his mouth, hesitating for a long time before speaking: "Are you messing with me, Arthur? How do you think that money ended up in my hands? Of course, it was Mrs. Sikes who stuffed it to me!"
"Do you think I'm asking how Mrs. Sikes gave it to you?" Arthur leaned against a lamppost, his eyes on him: "No, what I'm asking is, if this matter really goes to court, how are you going to explain to the judge, jury, and the reporters of Fleet Street why you have the money being reclaimed by a husband involved in a bribery case."
"I... I could say she entrusted it to me as a friend for safekeeping..."
"Then why didn't she give it to her lawyer? Why did she give it to you? Is there a receipt? Any witnesses? Any third-party involved?" Arthur paused and added: "Or did she just stuff the money into your underclothes pocket, and you righteously accepted it?"
