human
Same old humourist!
gpt
And only the day before I sent them five thousand!
human
Just the same this is a confession of weakness, said Evan.
gpt
I see that clearly. The game is getting too difficult for them.
human
What would you advise me to do?
gpt
Ignore that letter.
human
But--but what do you suppose they mean by 'further arguments'?
gpt
I don't know. Make them show their hand.
human
Do you suppose they contemplate--er--personal violence?
gpt
They may intend to threaten it.
human
Suppose they took me into custody as they did you?
gpt
Well, they didn't do me any harm, really.
human
I am not so sure--the second time----
gpt
They wouldn't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs,
human
Have you shown the letter to Mrs. Deaves?
gpt
I suppose they will be writing to her next,
human
Your father?
gpt
What's the use? Deaves struck his forehead.
human
My position is becoming unbearable!
gpt
I'm sorry for you, Evan said, thinking:
human
If you only had a little more backbone!
gpt
After all there is nothing for me to do but to ignore this letter, he said.
human
I suppose you do not feel inclined to help me any further in the matter.
gpt
On the contrary, I'll be glad to, said Evan quickly.
human
But on my own terms. I have my own score to settle with this gang.
gpt
Then if I hear from them again what is your telephone number?
human
There is no telephone in this house.
gpt
But I may send to you?
human
By all means.
gpt
said Deaves.
human
The halls are so dark. And this letter has made me wretchedly nervous.
gpt
Of course I shall not venture out on foot after this. I shall always use the car. A new and dreadful thought struck him.
human
But then in a car one offers such a conspicuous mark to a bullet!
gpt
You needn't fear bullets, said Evan.
human
A dead man can't pay blackmail.
gpt
What do you think about my chauffeur? he asked anxiously.
human
Take a look at him. Does he look honest?
gpt
There's nothing remarkable about him, he said.
human
He looks like--like a chauffeur. How can one tell from a man's looks what he's thinking about?
gpt
Suppose they were to bribe him, and he drove me off to their lair? stuttered Deaves.
human
I--I think I'd better stay home altogether hereafter.
gpt
Father has not come home! he cried.
human
Where is he?
gpt
How should I know?
human
But you accompanied him on all his walks! You know his haunts!
gpt
His haunts! exclaimed Evan.
human
His haunts comprised the whole five boroughs of Greater New York with occasional excursions into Jersey!
gpt
But you must go in search of him! I cannot let the night pass and do nothing!
human
My dear sir, I wouldn't have the faintest notion where to begin. The only thing to do is to send out a general alarm through the police.
gpt
I can't do that! I can't risk another horrible newspaper sensation on top of everything else!
human
Then there's nothing to do but wait to see what happens, said Evan patiently.
gpt
If he's had an accident in the street, you will be notified.
human
You think I'd be glad if something happened to him, said Deaves.
gpt
Everybody thinks so. But after all he's my father. It's the suspense that drives me out of my mind!
human
It cannot be for long. If the blackmailers have kidnapped him----
gpt
That is what I fear!
human
They will open negotiations in the morning. And you need not fear that anything will happen to him during the course of negotiations.
gpt
But what good will it do to negotiate? cried poor Deaves.
human
I cannot possibly meet their demands.
gpt
Tell them so, said Evan.
human
Put it up to them.
gpt
Then they'll make him suffer.
human
In that case he can pay them.
gpt
Ah, you don't know my father! Four hundred thousand dollars! He'd die rather!
human
Well, that's up to him, isn't it?
gpt
Ah, you have no heart!
human
My dear sir, said Evan patiently,
gpt
Your cold words cannot ease the heart of a son!
human
Take it easy! he said soothingly.
gpt
Wait until to-morrow. Perhaps in opening negotiations they will give us a good chance to trip them up.
human
In the first mail,
gpt
One of our members happened to meet Mr. Simeon Deaves on the street yesterday, and invited him to spend a few days as our guest at the clubhouse. He is with us now, and appears to be enjoying himself pretty well, but unfortunately the climate of the vicinity is very bad for him. At his age one cannot be too careful. We think he should be returned home at once. A single day's delay might be fatal. If you agree, hang out the flag at eleven, Monday. We realize that you feel you must be extra careful in regard to the old gentleman's health, because you would profit so greatly by his death. You are so conscientious! Personally we would be very glad to see you come in for a great fortune; it would enable you to put so much more into the enterprise in which we are jointly associated.
human
Stripped of its humorous verbiage this means: 'Come across or we'll croak the old man. And you needn't think you would profit by his death because we'd come down on you harder than ever then!'
gpt
Isn't it awful! Isn't it awful! gasped Deaves.
human
Was ever a man put in so frightful a position? What am I to do?
gpt
Three courses are open to you, said Evan patiently;
human
But my father! He will suffer for it! A rotting old house overrun with rats, you said. And such an ordeal as you went through! It might very well kill him. How can I risk it?
gpt
He will always have the option of freeing himself,
human
He would die rather than submit!
gpt
Well, we went over all that last night. Your second course would be to take that letter to the police and put the whole matter in their hands. A force of ten thousand men with the information I can give them ought to be able to locate the clubhouse before night.
human
And find papa's body!
gpt
Well, your third course is to hang out the flag and open negotiations.
human
I have nothing to negotiate with! I cannot raise a cent more!
gpt
Never mind; bluff them. Spin them along as far as you can, on the chance of outwitting them in the end.
human
What chance would I have of outwitting them?
gpt
Not much, I guess. Aloud he said:
human
Well, that's the best I can do for you.
gpt
All three courses are equally impossible!
human
Yet you must follow one of them.
gpt
You are no help at all!