human
It's a treasure right enough! cried Dan.
gpt
But what's this? He turned to the opposite corner where there lay a heap of something covered with a great black cloth. They approached gingerly, and Dan stooped and picked up an edge of the covering.
human
It's a cloak,
gpt
Tom! Dan cried in a ghastly whisper.
human
A man has died here.
gpt
But who?
human
What! cried Tom.
gpt
Good God! the old Marquis! But how? I don't understand--
human
He must have come here the afternoon he pretended to leave the Inn, must have learned the secret passage somehow. It was he who loosened the casement in the Oak Parlour that night, and got his message to Bonhomme. He was waiting here for him. Can't you see it all--the panel slipped back; he couldn't open it again; Bonhomme didn't come; he was caught like a rat in a trap.
gpt
My God, what a fate!
human
We can't leave his body here. We must give it decent burial, you and I, Tom, for we can't let this be known.
gpt
And the treasure?
human
Ah! there was treasure, wasn't there? Wait, let's see what is in the little casket. He picked up the golden casket that they had stepped over as they entered, and raised the lid. A single scrap of paper was inside on the little velvet cushion, inscribed in the same handwriting as the paper of directions,
gpt
But come, Tom whispered, holding back the door,
human
I can't stand this any longer. We'll come back again, and do what must be done. Come, Dan.