human
What's that about the Midnight Masquer? He's not appeared again?
gpt
What? Ansley glanced at him in surprise.
human
You've not heard?
gpt
I seldom read the papers.
human
Good heavens, man! He showed up last night at the Lapeyrouse dance, two minutes before midnight, as usual! A detective had been engaged, but was afterward found locked in a closet, bound with his own handcuffs. The Masquer wore his usual costume--and went through the party famously, stripping everyone in sight. Then he backed through the doors and vanished. How he got in they can't imagine; where he went they can't imagine, unless it was by airplane. He simply appeared, then vanished!
gpt
Ah, most interesting! The loot was valued at about a hundred thousand?
human
I thought you said you'd not heard of it?
gpt
I didn't. I merely hazarded a guess.
human
Wizard! The doctor laughed in unison.
gpt
Yes, about that amount. Exaggerated, of course; still, there were jewels of great value----
human
The Masquer is a piker,
gpt
Eh? A piker--when he can make a hundred-thousand-dollar haul?
human
Don't dream that those figures represent value, Doctor. They don't! All the loot the Masquer has taken since he began work is worth little to him. Jewels are hard to sell. This game of banditry is romantic, but it's out of date these days. Of course, the crook has obtained a bit of money, but not enough to be worth the risk.
gpt
Yet he has got quite a bit, returned Ansley, thoughtfully.
human
All the men have money, naturally; we don't want to find ourselves bare at some gay carnival moment! I'll warrant you've a hundred or so in your pocket right now!
gpt
Not I, rejoined Fell, calmly.
human
One ten-dollar bill. Also I left my watch at home. And I'm not dressed; I don't care to lose my pearl studs.
gpt
Eh? Ansley frowned.
human
What do you mean?
gpt
I met Maillard at the bank this morning. He called me into his office and handed me this--he had just received it in the mail.