human
May I ask _why_ you have refused it?
gpt
Partly for personal reasons, largely because I want to have a hand in this case.
human
You think this case so interesting?
gpt
The most interesting I have ever known, answered the other, and then he added with all the authority of his fine, grave face:
human
It's more than interesting, _it's the most important criminal case Paris has known for three generations_.
gpt
My dear Coquenil, you exaggerate, objected M. Simon.
human
After all, we have only the shooting of a billiard player.
gpt
The billiard player was a pawn in the game. He became troublesome and was sacrificed. He is of no importance, but there's a greater game than billiards here with a master player and--_I'm going to be in it_.
human
Why do you think it's a great game?
gpt
Why do I think anything? Why did I think a commonplace pickpocket at the Bon Marché was a notorious criminal, wanted by two countries? Why did I think we should find the real clew to that Bordeaux counterfeiting gang in a Passy wine shop? Why did I think it necessary to-night to be _on_ the cab this young American took and not _behind_ it in another cab? He shot a quick glance at Gibelin.
human
Because a good detective _knows_ certain things before he can prove them and acts on his knowledge. That is what distinguishes him from an ordinary detective.
gpt
Meaning me?
human
Not at all, replied M. Paul smoothly.
gpt
I only say that----
human
One moment, interrupted M. Simon.
gpt
Do I understand that you were with the driver who took this American away from here to-night?
human
I was not _with_ the driver, I _was the driver_ and I had the honor of receiving five francs from my distinguished associate. He bowed mockingly to Gibelin and held up a silver piece.
gpt
I shall keep this among my curiosities.
human
It was a foolish trick, a perfectly useless trick,
gpt
Perhaps not, answered the other with aggravating politeness;
human
Huh! What results?
gpt
Yes. What results?
human
Let me ask first, replied Coquenil deliberately,
gpt
The name of the woman,
human
Then the man who gives you this woman's name and address will render a real service?
gpt
A service? exclaimed Hauteville.
human
The whole case rests on this woman. Without her, nothing can be understood.
gpt
So it would be a good piece of work, continued Coquenil,
human
Come, come, interrupted the chief,
gpt
At this, _I have the woman's name and address_.
human
Impossible!
gpt
I got them by my own efforts and I will give them up _on my own terms_.
human
A thousand devils! How did you do it?
gpt
I watched the American in the cab as he leaned forward toward the lantern light and I saw exactly what he was doing. He opened the lady's bag and cut out a leather flap that had her name and address stamped on it.
human
No, contradicted Gibelin,
gpt
The name was on the _under side_ of the flap, laughed the other,
human
And you took this flap from the American?
gpt
No, no! Any violence would have brought my colleague into the thing, for he was close behind, and I wanted this knowledge for myself.
human
What did you do?
gpt
I let the young man cut the flap into small pieces and drop them one by one as we drove through dark little streets. And I noted where he dropped the pieces. Then I drove back and picked them up, that is, all but two.
human
Marvelous!
gpt
I had a small searchlight lantern to help me. That was one of the things I took from my desk,
human
And these pieces of leather with the name and address, you have them?
gpt
I have them.
human
With you?
gpt
Yes.
human
May I see them?
gpt
Certainly. If you will promise to respect them as my personal property?
human
You mean-- he frowned, and then impatiently:
gpt
Oh, yes, I promise that.