human
Sit down, continued the baron.
gpt
Later on you can eat, but first we'll have a talk. Coquenil, I've watched you for years, I know all about you, and--I'll say this, you're the most interesting man I ever met. You've given me trouble, but--that's all right, you played fair, and--I like you, I like you.
human
Thanks,
gpt
It's a pity you couldn't see things my way. I wanted to be your friend, I wanted to help you. Just think how many times I've gone out of my way to give you chances, fine business chances.
human
I know.
gpt
And that night on the Champs Elysées! Didn't I warn you? Didn't I almost plead with you to drop this case? And you wouldn't listen?
human
That's true.
gpt
Now see where you are! See what you've forced me to do. It's a pity; it cuts me up, Coquenil.
human
I understand, answered M. Paul.
gpt
I appreciate what you say. There's a bond between a good detective and----
human
A _great_ detective! put in the baron admiringly,
gpt
I was saying, resumed the other,
human
he smiled,
gpt
You regard _me_ as a great criminal?
human
I certainly do. The greatest since Ludovico Schertzi--you know he had your identical little finger.
gpt
Really!
human
Yes. And your absolute lack of feeling about crime. Never a tremor! Never a qualm of remorse! Just cold intelligence!
gpt
Of course. The baron held his left hand close to the candle and looked at it critically.
human
Strange about that little finger! And _pretty_ the way you caught the clew of it on that photographer's neck. Poor little devil!
gpt
What did you do with the boots you were trying to return that night?
human
Burned them.
gpt
And this American? What of him--now?
human
He will be tried and----
gpt
And be found guilty?
human
Yes, but--with jealousy as an extenuating circumstance. He'll do a few years, say five.
gpt
I never saw quite why you put the guilt on him.
human
It had to go on some one and--he was available.
gpt
You had nothing against him personally?
human
Oh, no. He was a pawn in the game.
gpt
A pawn to be sacrificed--like Martinez?
human
Exactly.
gpt
Ah, that brings me to the main point. How did Martinez get possession of your secret?
human
He met the girl accidentally and--remembered her.
gpt
As the one he had rescued from the Charity Bazaar fire?
human
Yes. You'd better eat a little. Try some of this cold meat and salad? My cook makes rather good dressing.
gpt
No, thanks! Speaking of cooks, how did you know the name of that canary bird?
human
Ha, ha! Pete? I knew it from the husband of the woman who opens the big gate of the Villa Montmorency. He cleans your windows, you know, and--he was useful to me.
gpt
He knew you as--Groener?
human
Of course.
gpt
None of these people knew you really?
human
No.
gpt
Not Dubois?
human
Ah, Dubois knew me, of course, but--Dubois is an automaton to carry out orders; he never knows what they mean. Anything else?
gpt
Oh! Did you know that private room Number Seven would not be occupied that night by Wilmott and the dancing girl?
human
No.
gpt
Then how did you dare go in there?
human
Wilmott and the girl were not due until nine and I had--finished by half past eight.
gpt
How did you know Wilmott would not be there until nine?
human
Martinez told me. It was in Anita's _petit bleu_ that Mrs. Wilmott showed him.
gpt
Had you no direct dealings with Anita?
human
I never saw the girl. The thing just happened and--I took my chance.
gpt
You bought the auger for Martinez and told him where to bore the holes?
human
Yes.
gpt
And the key to the alleyway door?
human
I got a duplicate key--through Dubois. Anything else?
gpt
It's all very clever, reflected M. Paul,
human
A natural question, agreed De Heidelmann-Bruck.
gpt
I could have done it easily in twenty ways--twenty stupid safe ways. But don't you see that is what I didn't want? It was necessary to suppress Martinez, but, in suppressing him as I did, there was also good sport. And when a man has everything, Coquenil, good sport is mighty rare.
human
I see, I see, murmured the detective.
gpt
And you let Alice live all these years for the same reason?
human
Yes.
gpt
The wood-carver game diverted you?
human
Precisely. It put a bit of ginger into existence. He paused, and half closing his eyes, added musingly:
gpt
I'll miss it now. And I'll miss the zest of fighting you.
human
Ah! said Coquenil.
gpt
By the way, how long have you known that I was working here in your stable?
human
Since the first day.
gpt
And--you knew about the valet?
human
Naturally.
gpt
And about the safe?
human
It was all arranged.
gpt
Then--then you _wanted_ me to read the diary?
human
Yes, answered the other with a strange expression.
gpt
I knew that if you read my diary I should be protected.
human
I don't understand.
gpt
Of course not, but-- Suddenly his voice grew harsher and M. Paul thought of the meeting on the Champs Elysées.
human
Do you realize, sir, the baron went on, and his voice was almost menacing,
gpt
I can believe that.