human
Well, Marlowe, said Jack Morgan to the latter, who had just entered,
gpt
Not very good, said Marlowe, shaking his head.
human
I haven't been so hard up for a long time. You haven't lost much by being shut up.
gpt
I've had my board and lodging free, said Morgan;
human
That's where you're right, Jack. I never tried it but once, and then I didn't like it any better than you.
gpt
You're a sharp one. You always cover your tracks.
human
The cops don't often get hold of me, said Marlowe, with pride.
gpt
You remember that big bond robbery a year ago?
human
Yes. You wasn't in that?
gpt
Yes, I was.
human
The rest of the fellows got trapped.
gpt
That's so; but I heard in time and got off.
human
Did you make anything out of it?
gpt
I made sure of a thousand-dollar bond.
human
Did you put it off?
gpt
Yes; I sold it for half price.
human
Where is the money?
gpt
It lasted me a month, said Marlowe, coolly.
human
I lived then, you can bet. But I haven't done much since. Do you see that?
gpt
What of it?
human
It's my last dollar.
gpt
Then you've got to do something.
human
Yes.
gpt
Haven't you thought of anything?
human
I've got a plan that may work.
gpt
What luck, Julius?
human
Nothing much. I got a bundle to carry for a quarter.
gpt
Have you got the money?
human
There's ten cents. I bought my supper with the rest.
gpt
Give it to me.
human
You ain't smart, Julius, he said.
gpt
You ought to have brought more than that.
human
Buy me a blacking-box and I will,
gpt
I'll see about it. But, Marlowe, you were just goin' to tell me of your plan.
human
Shall I tell before him?
gpt
Drive ahead. He's one of us.
human
There's a house on Madison avenue that I've heard about. It belongs to a man that's gone to Europe.
gpt
Then there isn't much left in it worth taking.
human
That's where you're wrong. I've found out that he has left all his plate locked up in a safe on the second floor and some bonds, too, it's most likely.
gpt
Has he got much?
human
So I hear.
gpt
Who told you?
human
A man that was in his service. He was discharged for drunkenness, and he owes this Mr. Talbot a grudge.
gpt
Is he a thief himself?
human
No, but he is willing to help us, out of revenge.
gpt
Then you can depend on his information.
human
Yes; there is no doubt of it.
gpt
Is the house empty?
human
No; there's a family in charge.
gpt
That's bad.
human
Not so bad; it's a widow, with two children--one a little boy of eight or thereabouts, the other sixteen.
gpt
Do you know anything about them?
human
The oldest boy is a street peddler. He keeps a necktie stand below the Astor House.