human
I seek him who occupies the second floor of this house. Your tenant, Vandecque.
gpt
Vandecque! the man exclaimed.
human
Monsieur Vandecque! You seek him? and the tones of the man's voice rose shriller and shriller with each word he muttered.
gpt
You seek Monsieur Vandecque?
human
Then, seeing a blank look upon the man's face, he suddenly exclaimed:
gpt
Surely he is not dead?
human
Dead; no. Not that I know of. Though, sometimes, I fear. But--but--missing. He may be dead.
gpt
Missing! Since when--how long ago?
human
Since the night of the--the--catastrophe. The night of the day when mademoiselle threw over the illustrious duke to marry an English outcast. They say--many think--that it broke his heart; turned him demented. That he drowned himself, poor gentleman, plunged into the Seine to hide----
gpt
Bah! exclaimed Walter,
human
(he thought it very likely that the man was lying by Vandecque's orders)
gpt
Apparently, Monsieur knows Monsieur le Duc. But, aloud, he said,
human
Monsieur le Duc is extremely unwell. He is no longer strong; in truth, he has lived too well since he removed himself from the army. They say, and the fellow sunk his voice as though what he was now about to impart was of too sacred a nature to be even whispered to the vulgar air,
gpt
No matter for his health. Where is he? Tell me that. If I cannot find Vandecque I must see him. Then, taking a louis from his pocket, he held it out, while making no pretence of disguising the bribe.
human
Here, he said,
gpt
He is, the concierge said, slipping the louis with incredible rapidity into his breeches' pocket,
human
This is the truth? As well as that Vandecque has disappeared?
gpt
Monsieur, I swear it. And, if Monsieur doubts me, he can see Monsieur Vandecque's apartments. They will prove to him that they have not been occupied for months. Also, if Monsieur demands at the Hôtel Desparre he will learn that, in this case as well, I speak the truth.
human
I take you at your word. Let me see the apartments. Later, I will verify what you say as to the absence of Desparre.
gpt
Ascend, Monsieur, said the man, pointing to the stairs.
human
Ascend, if you please.