human
Good morning, good morning! he said, taking his seat.
gpt
Dear me, what on earth do you suppose? Attempted robbery here last night, 'pon my word! But the beggars don't seem to have got away with anything except----?
human
Except what?
gpt
Most curious thing! he gasped.
human
Very extraordinary, very extraordinary! A Damascus sword!
gpt
Holy mackerel! said Mr. Pegg impatiently.
human
Damn it! Orange juice in my eye--stings like the devil. California orange juice never stings you like that! What did you say, Mark?
gpt
I said that the only thing the burglars took was one of the swords from the suits of armor! yelled the banker.
human
What did they want it for, what did they want it for, that's what I'd like to know, eh?
gpt
Who told you such a nonsensical thing?
human
My man Wilkes, replied Mr. Markheim.
gpt
It seems the watchman, Pedro, has disappeared as well, but it's hardly likely the robbers took him.
human
More likely he was one of them! said I.
gpt
And as for the missing sword--it's too bad your servants don't dust more carefully. Sebastian Markheim, that's all I've got to say about that!
human
What do you mean, Free? Alicia put in.
gpt
Do you know anything about the burglars?
human
Only that I heard 'em and came downstairs, I said.
gpt
What else did your man Wilkes tell you?
human
Why, it seems he heard a noise, replied Markheim,
gpt
Yes, that's right,
human
The watchman denied having heard or seen anything out of the way, Sebastian went on,
gpt
Well, he's done nothing to send a posse after him for, far as I can see, observed Mr. Pegg.
human
And if you do send one he's likely to slew at it with that sword--better lay off him.
gpt
I took that sword myself, I announced with dignity.
human
It is behind the portière to the library, where I left it. I am sorry to have been so untidy, but in the excitement of the moment I confess I neglected to put it back in place.
gpt
You didn't take the watchman, too, did you?
human
Of course not! said I.
gpt
But I think he was a very evil, suspicious-looking character, with a decided accent and quite unwashed. I would never have engaged him as a watchman myself. He seemed to me obviously a bandit.
human
Not at all, not at all! exclaimed Sebastian.
gpt
Came to me with the very highest credentials--recommended strongly by the Italian consul himself.
human
When did he come to you, Mark?
gpt
Let's see, said he.
human
About three weeks ago.
gpt
Then you don't know if he is a good burglar hound or not, said she.
human
But he may turn up, you know. Don't judge him too soon.
gpt
I shan't, replied Markheim.
human
Devil his due, innocent until guilty and all that. But it's odd they can't find him. Generally sleeps in the gardener's cottage. Room's down there.