human
I do not believe I have reached any general conclusion, Judge. The facts, as I found them, that may be helpful to the police I have given the police. Understand, please, I am not a policeman nor a detective. I am a simple scientist and it is as problems in science that I approach these subjects.
gpt
Perhaps I have not made myself clear, Professor. We, or rather most of us, are in a very unhappy state of mind. Thus, what might three days ago have been a very simple thing, takes on for all of us perhaps a grossly exaggerated importance. Mr. Flynn there, glancing toward one of the men who was looking with dull unseeing eyes at the table,
human
This is ghastly, Professor. Let me put it bluntly. Here we are, eleven old comrades, and we are--shall I say it--suspicious of one another. There, you have it, but it is the simple truth. Perhaps all of us do not share this unworthy feeling.
gpt
We are old men. In this state of mind, if it continues and grows as it must, unless this damnable mess is cleared up, we will all die shortly without the aid of murder.
human
Yes, it's hellish. We don't like the idea of Flynn going off by himself and at the same time we are all afraid to stay here. That damn Tontine policy. If not for that we would not--
gpt
What the hell is there to be afraid of? And suppose I do follow the others? I told you when I came three days ago that I could not spend the week. I just have to attend to this matter. He shook his head stubbornly.
human
If we take this attitude--we are men, aren't we. Can't we protect ourselves, now that we know definitely of the danger. Or aren't we exaggerating the danger?
gpt
But it is not altogether our fear for your safety, Bill, that is in our minds. It is--let us put it frankly--
human
Oh, go on, say it, Hank, say it! It is fear of one another as well as fear for one another. Is that it?
gpt
Stay here, Flynn, stay here until this thing is cleaned up.
human
Well, I've got to go and that's that. You all know I've got to go. If you're afraid of me, send a guard along. If you're afraid for me, the same guard can do your business.
gpt
Mr. McCall, see to it that Flynn is guarded from the moment he steps foot in New York. We will see to it that he has adequate protection until he reaches New York. His eyes swept the rest of the group.
human
Is that satisfactory?
gpt
For God's sake, let us not be children or old women. We have all faced death before, we have faced other and worse things. We should get some reports soon that will clear this up. In a day, at the most in two days, we will know definitely if Amos Brown, the only remaining member of '14', is still alive.
human
Facing death from a musket with your comrades about you is comparatively easy, Isaac. But this damnable thing--
gpt
Forget it. Let us confront it. We--