human
Certainly not, said Mr. Chalker, confident that better terms than those would be offered.
gpt
If that is all you have to say, you may go away again.
human
But the rest is usury. Think! To give fifty, and ask three hundred and fifty, is the part of an usurer.
gpt
Call it what you please. The bill of sale is for three hundred and fifty pounds. Pay that three hundred and fifty, with costs and sheriff's poundage, and I take away my man. If you don't pay it, then the books on the shelves and the furniture of the house go to the hammer.
human
The books, I am informed, said Lala Roy,
gpt
His granddaughter! Oh, it's a swindle, said Mr. Chalker angrily.
human
It is nothing more or less than a rank swindle. The old man ought to be prosecuted, and, mind you, I'll prosecute him, and you too, for conspiring with him.
gpt
A prosecution, said the Hindoo,
human
Oh, come, don't let us have any religious nonsense!
gpt
I assure you they are worth studying. I am, myself, an humble follower of Gautama, but I have read those precepts with profit. In the kingdom imagined by that preacher, there is no room for usurers, Mr. Chalker. Where, then, will be your kingdom? Every man must be somewhere. You must have a kingdom and a king.
human
This is tomfoolery! Mr. Chalker turned red, and looked very uncomfortable.
gpt
Stick to business. Payment in full. Those are my terms.
human
You think, then, that the Precepts of your Sage are only intended for men while they sit in the church? Many Englishmen think so, I have observed.
gpt
Payment in full, mister. That's what I want.
human
No abatement? No mercy shown to an old man on the edge of the grave? Think, Mr. Chalker. You will soon be as old as Mr. Emblem, your hair as white, your reason as unsteady--
gpt
Payment in full, and no more words.
human
It is well. Then, Mr. Chalker, I have another proposal to make to you.
gpt
I thought we should come to something more. Out with it!
human
I believe you are a friend of Mr. Emblem's grandson?
gpt
Joe? Oh yes, I know Joe.
human
You know him intimately?
gpt
Yes, I may say so.
human
You know that he forged his grandfather's name; that he is a profligate and a spendthrift, and that he has taken or borrowed from his grandfather whatever money he could get, and that--in short, he is a friend of your own?
gpt
Go on, he said.
human
I know all about Joe.
gpt
Good. Then, if you can tell me anything about him which may be of use to me I will do this. I will pay you double the valuation of Mr. Emblem's shop, in return, for a receipt in full. If you can not, you may proceed to sell everything by auction.
human
Well, he said,
gpt
I don't know. It's a cruel hard case to be done out of my money. How am I to find out whether anything I tell you would be of use to you or not? What kind of thing do you want? How do I know that if you get what you want, you won't swear it is of no use to you?
human
You have the word of one who never broke his word.
gpt
Why, he said,
human
I wouldn't take the word of an English bishop--no, nor of an archbishop--where money is concerned. What is it--what is the kind of thing you want to know?
gpt
It is concerned with a certain woman.
human
Oh, well, if it is only a woman! I thought it might be something about money. Joe, you see, like a good many other people, has got his own ideas about money, and perhaps he isn't so strict in his dealings as he might be--few men are--and I should not like to let out one or two things that only him and me know.
gpt
But as it is only a woman--which of 'em is it?
human
This is a young woman, said to be handsome, tall, and finely-made; she has, I am told, light brown hair and large eyes. That is the description of her given to me.
gpt
I know the girl you mean. Splendid figure, and goes well in tights?
human
I have not been informed on that subject. Can you tell me any more about her?
gpt
I suspect, mister, said Joe's friend, with cunning eyes,
human
Perhaps, said Lala,
gpt
His face showed not the least sign which could be read.
human
You can tell me afterward what you know of the woman at Shadwell.
gpt
Well, then, Joe thinks I know nothing about it. Else I wouldn't tell you. Because I don't want a fight with Joe. Is this any use to you? He is married to the girl as well as to the widow.
human
He is married to the girl as well as to the widow. He has, then, two wives. It is against the English custom, and breaks the English law. The young wife who is beautiful, and the old wife who has the lodging-house. Very good. What is the address of this woman?
gpt
Don't you know it, then? What are you driving at?
human
What is the name and address of this Shadwell woman?
gpt
Well, then --he wrote an address and handed it over--
human
It shall be a secret, said Lala, taking out the bag of notes.
gpt
Let us complete the business at once, Mr. Chalker. Here is another offer. I will give you two hundred pounds in discharge of your whole claim, or you shall have a valuation made, if you prefer it, and I will double the amount.
human
What are you going to do with Joe? he asked.
gpt
No good turn, I'll swear. And a more unforgiving face than yours I never set eyes on. It isn't my business, but I'll give you one warning. If you make Joe desperate, he'll turn on you; and Lord help your slender ribs if Joe once begins. Don't make him desperate. And now I'll tell you another thing. First, the woman at Shadwell is horribly jealous. She'll make a row. Next, the young one, who sings at a music-hall, she's desperately in love with her husband--more than he is with her--and if a woman's in love with a man, there's one thing she never forgives. You understand what that is. Between the pair, Joe's likely to have a rough time.
human
I do. I have had many wives myself.
gpt
Oh, Lord, he says he's had many wives! How many?
human
It is a pleasure to give money to you, and to such as you, Mr. Chalker.
gpt
Is it? he replied with a grin.
human
Give me some more, then.
gpt
You are one of those who, the richer they become, the less harm they do. Many Englishmen are of this disposition. When they are poor they are jackals, hyenas, wolves, and man-eating tigers; when they are rich they are benevolent and charitable, and show mercy unto the wretched and the poor. So that, in their case, the words of the Wise Man are naught, when he says that the earth is barren of good things where she hoardeth treasure; and that where gold is in her bowels no herb groweth. Pray, Mr. Chalker, pray earnestly for gold in order that you may become virtuous.
human
I will, mister, he said,
gpt
I will pray with all my might.