human
Heaven forbid! said Ingleby, a trifle hoarsely.
gpt
Still, he looked horribly like it. There's just one thing of which I should like to be quite certain.
human
Of course! and Leger met his comrade's gaze.
gpt
Suppose I told you I did it, would it separate us?
human
No, said Ingleby.
gpt
You know that. It might have been I; and, anyway, we were both in the thing.
human
Then, as you supposed, the military man was mistaken. I had nothing in my hands, and never even reached him.
gpt
Well, he said,
human
You know who did it?
gpt
I do, but you ought to understand that the fact isn't of much use to me.
human
You mean?
gpt
I could plead not guilty, but I couldn't point out the man responsible. You see, I induced him to join the Society, and gave him the American's pamphlets--I believe the more virulent ones. They seemed to make a strong impression on him. One can't well back out of his responsibility--especially when the adversary is always ready to make the most of the opportunity. Besides, the man has a family.
human
And you have Hetty.
gpt
Yes, said Leger with an impressive quietness.
human
And Hetty has only me. Still, one must do what he feels he has to.
gpt
But you can't leave Hetty--and what would happen to her if you were----
human
If I were in jail? and Leger's face went awry.
gpt
She would be turned out of her berth to a certainty. It didn't quite strike me until you put the thing before me. There's the lad's mother too. A little horrible, isn't it? How long does one usually get for manslaughter?