human
What took you to Brighton of all places?
gpt
Well, you might guess. Joe Brill took me.
human
Joe Brill?
gpt
I followed him there.
human
But I have seen Joe. He tells me he was at Southampton and in London.
gpt
No doubt--a clever fellow Joe. He knows how to hold his tongue. Well, Mr. Thorold, I hope your troubles about this matter of the lost body will soon be at an end.
human
Blair! Alan bent forward in a state of great excitement.
gpt
You have found out something about it?
human
Yes, enough to gain me a thousand pounds.
gpt
Not enough to gain you two thousand pounds?
human
No. Blair's face fell.
gpt
But I intend to get that also. However, I have learned all about the theft of Mr. Marlow's body--how it was removed, and why it was removed.
human
By Jove! How did you find out?
gpt
Through Joe Brill. Somehow I suspected Joe from the first. That sovereign he gave Cicero Gramp, you know--I always fancied there was something behind his anxiety to get that man away. So I had him watched, and applied for leave of absence. When he left Heathton I followed as a tourist, chuckled Blair.
human
Oh, I assure you, Mr. Thorold, I make a very good tourist.
gpt
And he went to Brighton?
human
Yes, direct to Brighton. I went there and found out all about it.
gpt
You don't mean to say that he stole the body!
human
Ay, but I do and with the best intentions, too.
gpt
Was he the short man Cicero Gramp saw with Warrender?
human
He was the short man,
gpt
Then, why did he not tell me? Alan burst out angrily.
human
I saw him last night, yet he said nothing. He knew how anxious Miss Marlow is about the loss of her father's body.
gpt
Not her father, corrected the inspector.
human
Achille Lestrange was her father.
gpt
What! Alan started from his seat.
human
You know that?
gpt
I know all--the elopement in Jamaica; the kidnapping of Marie Lestrange, whom we know as Sophy Marlow; the coming of Jean Lestrange to blackmail the girl, and--and--all the rest of it. You see, Mr. Thorold, I interviewed Joe Brill this morning, and he told me all about your conversation with that rascal. I am posted up to date, sir.
human
Miss Lestrange,
gpt
No, sir--Sophia Marlow she is, and Sophia Marlow she will remain until she changes her name for mine. Her father is dead, and Jean Lestrange has no claim on her. Sophia Marlow, Mr. Inspector, if you please.
human
Well, well--as you please. We shan't quarrel about a name. Have you anything to smoke, Mr. Thorold?
gpt
Why did Joe keep me and Miss Marlow in the dark?
human
Acted under orders, Mr. Thorold.
gpt
Whose orders?
human
Mr. Marlow's, or rather, I should say Mr. Beauchamp's.
gpt
Blair!