human
For God's sake, speak out and say what you mean!
gpt
I can't do that--yet, I returned.
human
I might tell you my suspicions; but that wouldn't be fair to myself, or you, or--anyone concerned. I must land first. Once off the ship, twenty-four hours are all I shall need to find--I won't say the '_missing_ link,' because I have reason to think it will not be missing, but the link I can't touch this side of New York. I will make a rendezvous with you at the end of that time, either to tell you I've put two and two together with the link, or else to confess that the ends of the chain can't be made to fit.
gpt
You want only twenty-four hours to do what the best police in the world haven't done in a year and a half, he growled at me.
human
You think something of yourself, don't you?
gpt
You see, I've known myself for a long time, I said modestly.
human
You've only just been introduced to me, and were prejudiced to begin with. About that rendezvous--do you consent to my appointing the place?
gpt
Yes, he agreed.
human
Your hotel?
gpt
No. In the manager's private office at the Felborn Theatre; the time, twenty-four hours after we get away from the dock. That will be the most convenient place for both of us in case of my success, for Julius Felborn and Carr Price can be called in to fix a date for the first rehearsal of _The Key_.
human
The Felborn Theatre let it be,
gpt
I noticed that the girl caught eagerly, nervously, at any subject which could hold her attention for a moment, even that of my book and Carr Price's play. I, having the secret clue, guessed that she was for ever trying to escape from a thought too engrossing. Her aunt, Miss Marian Callender, had the clue also; and often I caught her long dark eyes--eyes like those of La Gioconda--fixed with almost painful intentness on Grace.
human
She knows that her niece is thinking about Odell,