human
The teller informed me you desired my presence here.
gpt
Yes, he was right. Be seated. I have much to say, and of a painful nature.
human
George, never in my whole life did I have such a painful duty to perform as now falls to my lot. You have served the bank for several years, and during that time have succeeded in winning the confidence of every officer of the institution. You have been trusted implicitly at all times, yet an examination reveals to us that this confidence placed in you has not been deserved.
gpt
I--I do not--that is--I cannot comprehend your meaning.
human
Be seated, Alden. It almost unmans me; in fact, ever since this affair came to my knowledge my confidence in mankind has been shaken as never before. I see you are overcome; why not confess your crime, and let us see that you are not as depraved as your act would indicate.
gpt
My God! what do you mean? Confess what? At least, inform me of what I am charged.
human
Why inform you of what you already know? The abstraction of the funds has been discovered and the worthless bonds are here.
gpt
I swear before my Maker, exclaimed George,
human
You act your part well. You little thought, I suppose, that we would discover your crime. The books, however, show that some time in August last year you took five thousand dollars in money from the bank, placing these worthless bonds in the vault as collateral.
gpt
It is a lie! If anything is wrong the villain is in the other room.
human
Beware, young man, how you talk; the evidence is too strong for you to escape by any means whatever. Here is the entry made in your own handwriting. You cannot deny this. Look here--is that written by any other hand than your own?
gpt
It--it--it--does look--oh, my God! I never wrote it. Am I dreaming? No, I am the victim of that man who has been at my desk.
human
Mr. Hamblin, certainly you do not think me capable of robbing the bank?
gpt
It is a foul conspiracy, and _you_ are at the bottom of it! You would ruin me to satisfy your own ambition, you scoundrel!
human
Have a care what you say, young man, or I will hand you over to the courts, where your crime will receive its just punishment. Your assumed innocence cannot stand against proofs so damaging as these books reveal.
gpt
But I never committed the deed. I am innocent of anything so despicable. I a defaulter! God knows I never wronged any man. Oh, why was I brought out of the burning factory!