human
I'm sorry I lost my temper just now, Lassen, he said in a very different tone from his former angry one.
gpt
It's always a fool's game. But I did really believe you were shamming about your memory. What I told you about the Hanover business is quite true, however, and the fact that you don't remember it, wouldn't make an atom of difference with our people. But now, what about the English girl?
human
I'm willing to listen to you,
gpt
What are you going to do about her?
human
What _you_ want to do is the point, man.
gpt
She's a spy and ought to be interned.
human
And why are you so keen about that? You said a little while back that you wanted her; how's the internment going to help you there?
gpt
She'd be sent to Krustadt and the Commandant---- Never mind; you can leave the rest to me. You won't know anything.
human
And my part?
gpt
Two things; both easy enough. Old Gratz has shoved a spoke in the wheel so far, curse him, and as you're in the house you can tell him you know I'm right that she is a spy and you can give him proofs.
human
Proofs?
gpt
I said proofs, didn't I? I'll give you some papers and you can plant one or two on her and give the rest to him saying you've found them in her room or somewhere. He'll be obliged to order a search then, and that'll do the trick.
human
Confound the thing!
gpt
Here, take another,
human
But if she was caught red-handed like that, she might be shot, and that wouldn't help you much.
gpt
You leave that to me, he replied with a leer and a wink.
human
The question is, are you going to help me?
gpt
I don't like it, von Erstein, and that's the truth,
human
I didn't ask you that.
gpt
And if I do help you?
human
Mum about that Hanover business.
gpt
And if I don't?
human
I think you will.
gpt
But why take this roundabout trouble to get her? If you want to marry her, why not ask her?
human
Why didn't you marry Anna Hilden? Because you could get her without, wasn't it? Same here, of course.
gpt
It comes to this, then, I said after a pause.
human
You think you know that I played the traitor in that Hanover business in a way that renders me liable to be shot; but that you're willing to hush it up if I'll help to put Miss Caldicott into your power. That about it?
gpt
Put it how you like, he growled, not relishing the bald statement.
human
But you'd better toe the line, my friend, and at once. Now, what are you going to do?
gpt
I'll toe the line, von Erstein.
human
I thought you'd see wisdom,
gpt
Not quite as you think, however. What I'm going to do is --and I paused--