human
Who are you? he demanded, angrily.
gpt
And how dare you enter a gentleman's house unbidden?
human
Are you the gentleman?
gpt
Yes.
human
You own this house?
gpt
Not at present. It is my uncle's.
human
And that secretary--pardon my curiosity--is his?
gpt
Yes; but what business is it of yours?
human
Not much. Only it makes me laugh to see a gentleman picking a lock. You should leave such business to men like me!
gpt
You are an insolent fellow! said Curtis, more embarrassed than he liked to confess, for this rough-looking man had become possessed of a dangerous secret.
human
I am my uncle's confidential agent, and it was on business of his that I wished to open the desk.
gpt
Why not go to him for the key?
human
Because he is sick. But, pshaw! why should I apologize or give any explanation to you? What can you know of him or me?
gpt
More, perhaps, than you suspect,
human
Then, you know, perhaps, that I am my uncle's heir?
gpt
Don't be too sure of that.
human
Look here, fellow, said Curtis, thoroughly provoked,
gpt
I don't know who you are nor what you mean, but let me inform you that your presence here is an intrusion, and the sooner you leave the house the better!
human
I will leave it when I get ready.
gpt
Go at once, he exclaimed, angrily,
human
What's the matter with the window?
gpt
That's as you prefer, but if you don't leave at once I will eject you.
human
Oh, no, you won't.
gpt
And why not, may I ask?
human
Why not? Because, in that case, I should seek an interview with your uncle, and tell him----
gpt
What?
human
That his son still lives; and that I can restore him to his----
gpt
It is a lie!
human
It is the truth, begging your pardon. Do you mind my smoking?
gpt
Who are you?
human
Have you forgotten Tim Bolton?
gpt
Are you Tim Bolton?
human
Yes; but you don't seem glad to see me?
gpt
I thought you were----
human
In Australia. So I was three years since. Then I got homesick, and came back to New York.
gpt
You have been here three years?
human
Yes, chuckled Bolton.
gpt
You didn't suspect it, did you?
human
Where?
gpt
I keep a saloon on the Bowery. There's my card. Call around when convenient.
human
And the boy?
gpt
Is alive and well. He hasn't been starved. Though I dare say you wouldn't have grieved if he had.
human
And he is actually in this city?
gpt
Just so.
human
Does he know anything of--you know what I mean.
gpt
He doesn't know that he is the son of a rich man, and heir to the property which you look upon as yours. That's what you mean, isn't it?
human
Yes. What is he doing? Is he at work?
gpt
He helps me some in the saloon, sells papers in the evenings, and makes himself generally useful.
human
Has he any education?
gpt
Well, I haven't sent him to boarding school or college, answered Tim.
human
He don't know no Greek, or Latin, or mathematics--phew, that's a hard word. You didn't tell me you wanted him made a scholar of.
gpt
I didn't. I wanted never to see or hear from him again. What made you bring him back to New York?
human
Couldn't keep away, governor. I got homesick, I did. There ain't but one Bowery in the world, and I hankered after that----
gpt
Didn't I pay you money to keep away, Tim Bolton?
human
I don't deny it; but what's three thousand dollars? Why, the kid's cost me more than that. I've had the care of him for fourteen years, and it's only about two hundred a year.
gpt
You have broken your promise to me!
human
There's worse things than breaking your promise,