human
Good God, Professor! Were you aware of the existence of these things here?
gpt
I knew that they were where I have now found them some four or five months ago--towards the end of last year. You do not remember, probably, some curious details of a crime that was perpetrated a year ago or more in the island of Sardinia. I don't know that the details were published save in the medical journals. You know how great an interest our unfortunate friend used to take in all such matters. We talked over that curious case. He doubted the possibility of causing death with so little violence, and by means which should leave so little trace behind them. I showed him how readily and easily it might be done. You may judge then, Signore Dottore, of the misgivings that assailed me when I discovered how that unhappy singer had been put to death. You will understand, too, why he so absolutely refused to see me, and how little desirous I was to see him.
human
But, Signor Professore--what should you have done if--?
gpt
If that girl had been condemned. You may guess that my state of mind has not been a pleasant one. I did not know what to do: I hoped that no conviction would have been arrived at. Of course it would have been impossible to keep silence while that poor girl suffered the penalty of the crime I had such strong reason to think was the work of another. Truly it is in all ways best as it is.
human
You are taking it for granted that the tribunal will give credit to the friar's testimony; but that is not certain; nay, it is not certain--at least, we do not yet know--we have only his assertion that he saw the Marchese do the deed. With these evidences before us, continued the lawyer,