human
What were you doing there?
gpt
I--I had been asleep. I came back early from the moors because Edmonstone insulted me. I was just awake. Let go my hands, will you? I heard something--a very little--I could not help it. What do you mean by holding my wrists like this? Leave loose of them, I say!
human
Then tell me what you heard.
gpt
Something that I could not understand. If you don't let me go this instant, I'll sing out!
human
Will you stand and talk sensibly, and listen to what I tell you?
gpt
Yes, I swear I will.
human
There, then, you're free. Now I'll just tell you, in effect, what you did hear, said Miles, whose inventive brain had been busy from the moment he had discovered Robson.
gpt
You heard Edmonstone speak to me as though I was a villain: well, he firmly believes I am one. You heard him read me a letter from some one 'wanting' me: he has read me many such letters. I believe you heard me asking him in effect not to tell any one, and thanking him: this is what I make a point of doing. The fact is, Edmonstone is under the delusion that I am a man who robbed him in Australia. This is what's the matter!
human
You don't mean it!
gpt
I do; but not so loud, man. His friends don't suspect anything; they needn't know; it's only on this one point. What, didn't you hear our last words? I said, 'It seems like madness.' He answered, 'My old mate'--meaning the man who was with him at the time of the robbery--'my old mate,' he says, 'swears that I am mad on that subject.'
human
Whew! whistled the doctor.
gpt
Yes, I heard that.
human
It speaks for itself, eh? But I put it to you as a medical man, said Miles, rising still more fully to the occasion, and remembering the doctor's weak point:
gpt
I put it to you as a medical man--has there not been something strange about his manner?
human
There has, indeed, he said, without hesitation;
gpt
I have noticed it myself!
human
Poor Edmonstone! he is quite touched on the point. Perhaps the affair brought on a fever at the time, for he is an excitable fellow, and that would account for it.
gpt
But is he safe? asked Robson, eagerly.
human
He can't be!
gpt
Oh, yes, he is; quite. I repeat, it is only on that one point, and nobody knows it here. And, mind, you are not to breathe a word of it to any single soul!