human
I have not the honour of your acquaintance, Mr Morton, and am rather curious to know what you want with me.
gpt
Well, madam, I replied,
human
And my reply to you, sir, is that Miss Sybil's destination is her own affair. We parted, and she has gone south. That is all I know.
gpt
But you also know the reason why she is masquerading as a maid; why at Fort William and at Oban you made people believe she was your maid. You had a motive, and I think you may as well admit it.
human
I do not see your right to question me about my private affairs! she exclaimed angrily.
gpt
This is monstrous!
human
I have no desire to pry into your affairs, madam, I answered, quite coolly.
gpt
The Honourable Sybil is a friend of mine, and I am anxious to know her whereabouts,
human
But I cannot tell you what I don't know myself. She went on to Carlisle--that's all I know.
gpt
She parted from you suddenly. Why? I asked.
human
Shall I tell you? Because she is in fear of being followed, I exclaimed, and, smiling, added,
gpt
I think, madam, that I hold greater knowledge of the family than perhaps even you do yourself. I have known the Scarcliffs all my life. Old Lady Scarcliff is greatly upset regarding Sybil's protracted absence. They are beginning to think that something has happened to her. I can now tell her that she has been with you, masquerading as your maid, and that you refuse all information concerning her. You know, I daresay, that the police are actively trying to find her on the application of her brother, Lord Scarcliff?
human
To tell Lady Scarcliff such a thing would only be to throw a blame upon myself of which I am entirely innocent, she protested.
gpt
I assure you that if I knew where she had gone, I would tell you.
human
No, pardon me, madam. You would not. You believe that I'm a detective.
gpt
Your actions certainly betray you, she exclaimed resentfully.
human
You've been watching us closely--for what reason?
gpt
Well, I replied slowly.
human
The fact is, I am fully aware of the secret love existing between Sybil Burnet and Arthur Rumbold.
gpt
Sybil and Arthur? she cried, turning pale and looking me straight in the face.
human
What do you mean? Arthur--my boy, Arthur!
gpt
Who are you? she exclaimed, starting up breathlessly from her chair. She was in fear of me, I saw.
human
Who are you that you should know this?
gpt
William Morton, was my cool reply.
human
I thought I sent my name up to you this morning!