human
A strong argument, said the Advocate, without blenching,
gpt
Ah, I have, and a sharp blade to it.
human
I thought as much. Would not that do your business more effectually?
gpt
Perhaps. But I've learnt a lesson to-day about knives, which teaches me not to use mine too freely.
human
Other scoundrels would run less risk of the gaol if their proceeding's were as logical. Do you know me?
gpt
How should I?
human
It might be, then, continued the Advocate, secretly taking a box of matches from his pocket,
gpt
Murderer!
human
Look at me, Gautran,
gpt
Aye, aye--I see who it is.
human
And you would rob me, wretch!
gpt
Not now, master, not now. Your voice--it was the voice of another man. I crave your pardon, humbly.
human
So--you recommence work early, Gautran. Have you not had enough of the gaol?
gpt
More than enough. Don't be hard on me, master; call me mad if you like.
human
Mad or sane, Gautran, every man is properly made accountable for his acts. Take this to heart.
gpt
It won't do me any good. What is a poor wretch to do with nothing but empty pockets?
human
You are a dull-witted knave, or you would be aware it is useless to lie to me. Gautran, I can read your soul. You wished to speak to me in the court. Here is your opportunity. Say what you had to say.
gpt
Give me breathing time. You've the knack of driving the thoughts clean out of a man's head. Have you got a bit of something that a poor fellow can chew--the end of a cigar, or a nip of tobacco?
human
I have nothing about me but money, which you can't chew, and should not have if you could. Hearken, my friend. When you said you were starving, you lied to me.
gpt
How do you know it?
human
Fool! Are there not fruit-trees here, laden with wholesome food, within any thief's grasp? Your pockets at this moment are filled with fruit.
gpt
You have a gift, said Gautran with a cringing movement of his body.
human
It would be an act of charity to put me in the way of it.
gpt
What would you purchase? asked the advocate ironically.
human
Gold, for wine, and pleasure, and fine clothes?
gpt
Aye, master,
human
Power, to crush those you hate, and make them smart and bleed?
gpt
Aye, master. That would be fine.
human
Gautran, these things are precious, and have their price. What are you ready to pay for them?
gpt
Anything--anything but money!
human
Something of less worth--your soul?
gpt
No, no, he muttered;
human
Strange, said the Advocate with a contemptuous smile,
gpt
I want to know, he said at length, with a clicking in his throat,
human
At your trial?
gpt
Aye, master.
human
I have not been paid for what I did for you.
gpt
When they told me yonder, said Gautran after another pause, pointing in the direction of Geneva, where the prison lay,
human
You strike a key-note, my friend.
gpt
Someone has promised to pay you.
human
No one has promised to pay me.
gpt
You puzzle and confuse me, master. You're a stranger in Geneva, I'm told.
human
It is true.
gpt
I've lived about here half my life. I was born in Sierre. My father worked in the foundry, my mother in the fields. You are not a stranger in Sierre.
human
I am a stranger there; I never visited the town.
gpt
My father was born in Martigny. You knew my father.
human
I did not know your father.
gpt
My mother--her father once owned a vineyard. You knew her.
human
I did not know her.
gpt
You are in deep shadow, my friend, said the Advocate,
human
You can do that?
gpt
You wish to know if I was acquainted with the unhappy girl with whose murder you were charged.
human
Is there another in the world like you? asked Gautran, with fear in his voice.
gpt
Yes, that is what I want to know.
human
I was not acquainted with her.
gpt
Then what, he exclaimed,
human
At length, said the Advocate,
gpt
Yes, master.
human
You steal sometimes from habit, to keep your hand in as it were, and you feel a certain satisfaction at having accomplished your theft in a workmanlike manner. We are all of us but gross and earthly patches. It is simply a question of degree, and it is because I am in an idle mood--indeed, I am grateful to you for this playful hour--that I make a confession to you which would not elevate me in the eyes of better men. You were anxious to know whether I have been paid for my services. I now acknowledge payment. I accept as my fee the recreation you have afforded me.
gpt
I shall be obliged to you, master, said Gautran,
human
I will oblige you. I read the particulars of the case for the first time on my arrival here, and it appeared to me almost impossible you could escape conviction. It was simply that. I examined you, and saw the legal point which, villain as you are, proclaimed your innocence. That laugh of yours, Gautran, has no mirth in it. I am beginning to be dangerously shaken. I will do, I said then, for this wretch what I believe no other man can do. I will perform a miracle.
gpt
You have done it! cried Gautran, falling on his knees in a paroxysm of fear, and kissing the Advocate's hand, which was instantly snatched away.
human
You are great--you are the greatest! You knew the truth!
gpt
The truth!
human
Aye, the truth--and you were sent to save me. You can read the soul; nothing is hidden from you. But you have not finished your work. You can save me entirely--you can, you can! Oh, master, finish your work, and I will be your slave to the last hour of my life!
gpt
Save you! From what?