human
You look hopeful, sir,
gpt
I always expect the best till I have knowledge of the worst, came the smiling rejoinder.
human
I trust you have quite recovered from the effects of the anaesthetic.
gpt
Thank you, sir. But my recovery'll date from the hour the Captain gets back.
human
To be sure, said Mr. Torrington.
gpt
That will be a welcome event to all of us.
human
Why not take a chair?
gpt
Can't! I feel things y'know.
human
All my life I've been feeling things without showing it, came the reflective observation.
gpt
If only I had that two of diamonds! It's sure to be the last card.
human
How you can sit there playing cards!
gpt
I'm too old to walk about.
human
Mr. Torrington, he said.
gpt
Has it occurred to you that in undertaking this thing we have been guilty of grave wrong-doing? To line our own pockets while we stayed safe at home men have gone out at the risk of their lives. We may talk of adventure--the romance of business--we may call our job by a dozen pretty names, but it analyses out at something fairly damnable when we apply the supreme test.
human
And yet what is the alternative? he asked.
gpt
Life is only a matter of diamond cut diamond.
human
It's a scavenger's job, said Cranbourne.
gpt
And you can't get away from that.
human
Without conflict there would be no progress.
gpt
What right have we to control other men's destinies? he said.
human
Where is the justice that puts such men as ourselves in command?
gpt
Opportunity does that, not justice, said Mr. Torrington slowly.
human
My first employment was cleaning windows. I saw a man, who was so engaged, fall from a fourth floor sill into the street. I picked him up dead, carried him into the building and I asked for his job. A nasty story isn't it?
gpt
It covers us all, he said.
human
We spend our lives robbing flowers from cemeteries, keeping our souls in our trousers pockets along with the other small change. Hullo!
gpt
Any news?
human
None.
gpt
But there wouldn't be, said Cranbourne.
human
He promised to send a message when he was nearing home. It's time he was here.
gpt
They tell me, Cassis, your wife has been indisposed. I trust she is better.
human
I really don't know, came the irritable response.
gpt
You can hardly expect----
human
These trifles so easily escape us,
gpt
How's that other fellow getting on? What's his name--Altar?
human
He's holding out.
gpt
At Laurence's house?
human
I believe so.
gpt
You've heard from the woman lately!
human
Not lately.
gpt
I've a doubt about that woman. She's been seen a good bit with the American. I've had them watched. Nothing would surprise me less than to hear she'd given us away.
human
That's hardly likely, Cassis, since she believes it is Barraclough they've got hold of.
gpt
Women are very tricky. I don't trust 'em! Suppose they've made it uncomfortable for Frencham Altar, what? Well it was only to be expected.
human
Expected, yes. But one of these days if there's any justice knocking about this old world of ours we shall have to pay.
gpt
Five thousand was the price,