human
You're not going to send me to prison, I trust?
gpt
I ought to! The girl broke into a laugh.
human
Why, I can hardly yet believe that it was really you who were guilty of those things! It mortified me, it stunned me--until I realized the truth from the note. Even the fact that you did not do it for criminal ends does not relieve the sheer folly of the act. Why did you do it? Come, tell me the truth!
gpt
The truth? Well, my chauffeur, Hammond, was the original Masquer. I caught him in the act--you remember I told you about him? After taking him into my employ, I became the Masquer. Poor Hammond was some time in realizing that my motives were altruistic and not criminal. He was quite distressed about it until he found that I meant to return all the loot intact.
human
Why did you do it, then?
gpt
Call it bravado, my dear Lucie. Call it anything you like--I can't lie to you! I had a motive, and I refuse to admit what it was; that's all.
human
Aren't you ashamed of yourself?
gpt
Not particularly. He smiled.
human
I had a good end in view, and I accomplished it. Also, I flatter myself that I accomplished it very decently; there's nothing like being a good workman, you know. Now that I'm all through, now that I've finished playing my little game, you happened to discover it. I am ashamed on that point, Lucie--ashamed because the discovery has very naturally made you think harshly of me----
gpt
I think you've been very silly, she said with a disconcerting calmness. He regarded her for a moment, steadily.
human
And you have displayed a fearful lack of judgment!
gpt
Silly? Well--perhaps. What are you going to do with those boxes?
human
I'll put them in the mail. I'm going downtown for luncheon, and will do it then. They'll be delivered this afternoon.
gpt
I had meant to have them delivered to-morrow; it makes no difference. You're the boss. It will give the good people a little more reason for jubilation to-night, eh?
human
I'm beginning to see the humour of it, Lucie--and I know who put you next to me. It was Jachin Fell, the old fox! I suspected that he was on my trail, and I thought that he had managed the theft of those boxes. In fact, I was preparing to give him a big surprise this afternoon. But tell me, Lucie--are you angry?