human
What do you think of it all, in heaven's name?
gpt
If I were to tell you, sirs, all I _think_, you'd be tired of hearing me, for I've been thinking as hard as my brains could go for the last week past. If you'd have made a friend, Mr. Kavanagh, of Mr. Merrivale or your humble servant in the matter you just now revealed, it might have helped me not a trifle--not a trifle. However, I believe you did it for the best; and after all I think we'll be even with them yet. But it is as confoundedly black a business as it ever fell to my lot to deal with; and I've had businesses, gentlemen, as black as--well, as old Harry himself. You see there's three points to follow up; and if we can tackle _one_ securely, why, I consider we shall tackle all, for I believe they hang together. First, checking it off on his thumb,
human
said the detective, warming with his subject,
gpt
Merrivale assented.
human
Then the second, checking number two off on his stumpy fore-finger,
gpt
The housekeeper, Mrs. Haag!
human
Yes, sir; Mrs. _Haag_, if that's her name.
gpt
You think it is not?
human
I _know_ it isn't.
gpt
You know it?
human
I do. When Jones showed me his notes, and repeated to me what you and he had heard in Blue-Anchor Lane last Thursday night, I _smelt_ a rat, Mr. Kavanagh, and I followed my nose, sir. When I said I was on the scent, I meant it. From that hour I wrote down in my note-book, 'Mrs. Haag, _alias_ Bradley--Bradley, _alias_ O'Brian; her husband, escaped convict from New South Wales.' For Jones identified that man by a description in the hands of all of us in the force. To have taken him there and then would simply have been madness, and insured your both being murdered in that villainous hole. But to follow out the connection between the housekeeper and him, him and Sullivan, Sullivan and Mr. Wilmot, is another point, an't it, Mr. Merrivale?
gpt
Is 'Sullivan' De Vos's right name?
human
I believe it is, sir. He's thoroughly Irish; but O'Brian isn't, though he's taken an Irish name. Sullivan's been known to the police also in his time, and I fancy there's a little matter in the wind which might introduce him again to us. They've both had their warning, though, from some quarter, and are in safe hiding somewhere or other as yet.
gpt
Have you more to tell us about O'Brian?
human
Nothing more, sir, at present. There's some dark secret and mystery hanging over him--a terrible story, I am afraid; but I can't speak for certain just now.--Mr. Kavanagh, suddenly glancing up at me,
gpt
No, not that I know of. We have often said he was like none of his relatives living, that was his uncle and cousin. Have you?
human
It's fancy, sir, no doubt. His mother died when he was very young, didn't she? and his father?
gpt
Mrs. Wilmot died soon after his birth. His father I never heard of. He was a _mauvais sujet_, I believe.