human
Not a second later than seven o'clock, mind, von Welten. Not a second, mind, he said when he had read the letter.
gpt
That'll do;
human
Now I'll tell you something in my turn, he said.
gpt
You have rendered us a very great service; a much greater service than you can imagine. You have only made one mistake, for you ought to have hurried to me as fast as possible from that woman's rooms; but you're evidently lucky, for no harm has been done.
human
I don't quite understand, sir,
gpt
I'm going to explain it to you. In the first place let me tell you I believe absolutely that you have told me the truth--about this murder, I mean--perhaps not in everything else.
human
There is only one thing, and if you wish----
gpt
Don't interrupt me, boy. I don't like it, he exclaimed testily.
human
It puts me out. Now about this affair. We know all about this woman, Anna Hilden. That isn't her name at all; but that doesn't matter now. She is, or was, one of von Erstein's mistresses; not the only one, by the way. The real Anna Hilden was another--years ago, of course--and that is how he knew all about that sale of the secret information to France.
gpt
You needn't be astonished. I tell you we know many things here. It is our business to know them. The man who betrayed us in that affair was von Erstein himself, and you, if you are really Lassen, were merely the go-between and scapegoat. But he was too cunning for us to be able to prove a thing against him. There are many things we think we know about him and can't prove, and others we don't wish to prove,
human
I can understand that.
gpt
We'll hope you don't come under either head, my boy. Well, we've been waiting for von Erstein, and now, thanks to you, we've got him. This woman went to him to-day after you left her; she was with him a considerable time; she left in great agitation; and he followed later to the flat which had been taken for this affair of yours. That he murdered her, there is no doubt, after what you've told me; but it's got to be proved. You won't be sorry if it is, probably.
human
He ought to be hanged,
gpt
You're either forgetting yourself, or beginning to remember things, aren't you? he asked deliberately, with one of his queer inscrutable smiles.
human
It's in England that they hang murderers, you know.
gpt
I--I meant lynched, hanged on the nearest lamp-post, sir.
human
Oh, I see. Yes, of course. Your American experiences, I expect. Well, we can talk about that another time. I was going to say that in von Erstein we have to deal with a very cunning individual indeed, and I shall expect you to help us. One of the necessary steps may be your arrest.
gpt
Arrest!
human
I said arrest. It may be necessary. It is essential he should not believe that a jot of suspicion attaches to him. You'll appreciate that?
gpt
I can appreciate it perhaps, but----
human
Don't be alarmed. I promise you very good treatment.
gpt
But I thought you wished----
human
No matter for the moment what I wished, my boy. I was beginning to hate that term of familiarity, for I knew now what it covered.
gpt
Everything must wait upon this now, he continued.
human
The arrest will not be made at once, however, as there is one thing you have to do first.
gpt
What is that?
human
You must return that ring to von Erstein.
gpt
Do what?
human
Do try to listen carefully. You must return it to him and lead him to believe you brought it away from that room. Let him snatch it from you while you are threatening to denounce him; or give it him as the terms of a truce between you; anyhow you please. But mind, it must be done so that he is convinced no eyes but yours have seen it. That's vital.
gpt
We have it here; our people found it exactly as you said.
human
Then the murder is known?
gpt
Oh, yes; the police have it in hand by this time; but they know nothing about that ring. We sent two men to the place who are suspected of being in his pay; and they will be able to report to him that nothing of the sort was found on the spot. We have taken every precaution, of course. It has been photographed from a dozen different points and a replica is being made. I am waiting now for the impression of the mould.
human
It has occurred to you, of course, that he may destroy it?
gpt
There's no fear of that. For one thing he's much too proud of it; there isn't another exactly like it in all Europe, probably not in the whole world; for another, he looks on it as a sort of mascot; there's some kind of legend or other about it; and lastly, if you do your part well, he will feel he can keep it with absolute safety.
human
When will you make him account for it?
gpt
That depends. He's a vindictive devil and is sure to denounce you for the murder, the instant he thinks he can do it safely. The most effective moment to deal with him would be when we get him in the witness box, giving evidence against you. But we shall see.
human
And when am I to be arrested?
gpt
As soon as he lays the information against you, unless I find on consideration we can avoid quite so drastic a step. It is not altogether impossible; but the pith of everything is that you get the ring back to him as soon as possible.
human
You will scarcely expect me to be deliriously joyful at the prospect of being tried for my life,
gpt
Worse than that might happen to you, perhaps; and in the end it would be immensely to your advantage,
human
I'm in your hands, sir.
gpt
I'm glad to hear you say that. Of course, as I said just now, it may not come to that; I have another possible plan, indeed. But the other part is essential. You will give me your word of honour to carry out my instructions faithfully?
human
Yes, I give you my word of honour. Would it be sufficient if I were to let him have it with a letter?
gpt
Why?
human
I might bungle the personal business. I'm not much of a hand at acting, I'm afraid.
gpt
I see, he replied; nodding; and something uncommonly like a smile hovered about the corners of his mouth.
human
I thought you said something to that Jew about theatricals and your studying his character. I have looked on you as a particularly good actor, my boy. But let's think. It would depend on how you worded any letter.
gpt
Just memorize that.
human
Von Erstein, you will know where I found the enclosed just as I know why you left what I found there. You think to ruin me. I am not the man you believe me to be and can prove my innocence by means of which you can have no conception. Enough that I tell you I have sufficiently recovered my memory to protect myself against your devilish malice. The enclosed proves I am ready to cry a truce.--Johann Lassen.
gpt
Well, my boy?
human
I--I'll memorize it, sir,
gpt
Just read it out. Let me hear how it sounds.
human
It'll do. Oh, yes. The recovery of your memory seems to explain the word 'means,' and he'll think you are only bluffing him. He'll never dream you've told me all about it; and, of course, that's what I intended. You understand I much prefer your seeing him; but if you can't, you can send that letter.
gpt
I'll see him to-night, if possible,
human
I'm sure you will. It's now all but seven. He generally goes to dinner at eight, and between now and then you ought to be able to catch him at his rooms. Mind, I depend on you.
gpt
You may, sir.
human
They ought to be ready for us now,