human
I've been watched every minute since I started on this case, he said thoughtfully.
gpt
My house has been watched, my servant has been watched, my letters have been opened; there isn't one thing I've done that they don't know.
human
They? Who?
gpt
Ah, who? repeated M. Paul.
human
If I only knew. You saw what they did with Gibelin to-night, set him after me when he is supposed to be handling this case. Fancy that! Who gave Gibelin his orders? Who had the authority? That's what I want to know. Not the chief, I swear; the chief is straight in this thing. _It's some one above the chief_. Lucien, I told you this was a great case and--it is.
gpt
Then you didn't mean what you were saying in the automobile about having doubts?
human
Not a word of it.
gpt
That was all for Gibelin?
human
Exactly. There's a chance that he may believe it, or believe some of it. He's such a conceited ass that he may think I only discovered him just at the last.
gpt
And you're _not_ thinking of going to Rio Janeiro?
human
Not while the murderer of Martinez is walking about this town laughing at me. I expect to do some laughing myself before I get through with this case.
gpt
But you are through.
human
Am I? Ha! Through? I want to tell you, my friends, that I've barely begun.
gpt
My dear Paul, reasoned the commissary,
human
That's the point, _did_ they help me? Or hinder me? One thing is certain: that if I work alone, I won't have to make daily reports for the guidance of some one higher up.
gpt
You don't mean--
human
I certainly do--there's no other way of explaining the facts. I was discharged for a trivial offense just as I had evidence that would prove this American innocent. They don't _want_ him proved innocent. And they are so afraid I will discover the truth that they let the whole investigation wait while Gibelin shadows me. Well, he's off my track now, and by to-morrow they can search Paris with a fine-tooth comb and they won't find a trace of Paul Coquenil.
gpt
You're going away?
human
No. I'm going to--to disappear, smiled the detective.
gpt
I shall work in the dark, and, when the time comes, I'll _strike_ in the dark.
human
You'll need money?
gpt
I have all the money I want, and know where to go for more. Besides, my old partner here is going to lay off for a few weeks and work with me. Eh, Papa Tignol?
human
A few weeks or a few months is all the same to me. I'll follow you to the devil, M. Paul.
gpt
That's right, that's where we're going. And when I need you, Lucien, you'll hear from me. I wanted you to understand the situation. I may have to call on you suddenly; you may get some strange message by some queer messenger. Look at this ring. Will you know it? A brown stone marked with Greek characters. It's debased Greek. The stone was dug up near Smyrna, where it had lain for fourteen hundred years. It's a talisman. You'll listen to anyone who brings you this ring, old friend? Eh?
human
And honor his request to the half of my kingdom,
gpt
Well, said Coquenil cheerfully,
human
I guess that's all for to-night. There's a couple of hours' work still for Papa Tignol and me, but it's half past two, Lucien, and, unless you think of something----
gpt
No, except to wish you luck,
human
Wait, put in Tignol,
gpt
Ah, yes, of course! Any news?
human
My news is asleep in the next room. If it wasn't so late I'd bring him in. He's a little shrimp of a photographer, but--he's seen your murderer, all right.
gpt
The devil! started M. Paul.
human
Where?
gpt
There! Let me tell you first how this floor is arranged. There are six rooms opening on that balcony. See here,
human
Now, then, continued Papa Tignol, surveying his handiwork with pride,
gpt
I think that is clear. B, here, is the balcony just outside, and there are the six rooms with windows opening on it. We are in this room D, and my friend, the little photographer, is in the next room E, peacefully sleeping; but he wasn't peaceful when he came home to-night and heard me playing that flute, although I played in my best manner, eh, eh! He stood it for about ten minutes, and then, eh, eh! It was another case of through the wall, first one boot, bang! then another boot, smash! only there were no holes for the boots to come through. And then it was profanity! For a small man he had a great deal of energy, eh, eh! that shrimp photographer! I called him a shrimp when he came bouncing in here.
human
Well, well?