human
Thank heaven! ejaculated Oscar,
gpt
I thought you had been murdered.
human
I believe he intended to murder me and he might just as well have succeeded--my life is forfeited now.
gpt
Your life is forfeited?
human
Yes.
gpt
Why do you say that?
human
Those men suspect me; you have given my life away.
gpt
I have given your life away?
human
Yes.
gpt
How?
human
By your assault upon Argetti. I did not suspect that were an officer. They will claim that I knew--that I was in league with you, and led Argetti into the trap.
gpt
Is that man's name Argetti?
human
No, but that is the name you gave him. We will speak of him as Argetti.
gpt
You know his real name?
human
I do.
gpt
What is his real name?
human
I dare not tell you. I have already forfeited my life.
gpt
Who is the man you were struggling with?
human
One of Argetti's confederates--one of the gang.
gpt
You need not fear to confide in me. You have not forfeited your life. You shall be protected at all hazards.
human
Ah, you do not know.
gpt
Do not know what?
human
The desperate character of these men.
gpt
What relation do you bear to these men?
human
I am an orphan; my parents died in an English poor-house. This man Argetti adopted me as his child. I have traveled all over the world with him, but now I must flee away and hide somewhere.
gpt
You need not flee away. Argetti, as we call him, can do you no harm. We will take care of him.
human
But his confederates. Already one of them has made an attempt to strangle me.
gpt
Who was the man?
human
I did not recognize him. Probably Argetti had him as a reserve after he had settled you. Oh, how unfortunate I am, to be associated with these men, and yet I have never committed a crime. I have no proof concerning any particular crime they have committed, and yet I am sure they are criminals. But see there!