human
I cannot believe a word of it, Norman said slowly, after a time.
gpt
But, no, I cannot! If you really wanted a man to rule this country--let us not say a King--it sounds too foolish--you would not choose an English grocer, examine his flesh as though he were a prize pig, thrash him before the eyes of his future subjects, and drive him out like a dog?
human
It was really necessary to see the physique of the man who is to found a dynasty. I fear, though, the Doctor took his duties himself too seriously. I fear, too, the whimsicality of the situation got hold of us: we were inclined to make the most of it. It is not every day one examines a man for the post of King. And as for the rest--we had to frighten you--into secrecy, and if possible into a belief if not of our sincerity at least of our power. We had to be able to command your silence, and it was obvious you were not ready to believe our good faith.
gpt
Then show me your good faith! rejoined Norman.
human
Surely I have a right to demand that? I only claim the just equivalent--that I should deal with you as you dealt with me.
gpt
Ah, you do not know, said Arnolfo, paling,
human
the boy went on, holding out his hands to Norman with a wan smile.
gpt
There--take my hands--torment me as you will; but not till the day you are crowned in the Cathedral of Alsander shall you have your full revenge.
human
I cannot help it, he said.
gpt
I do not care if you want to make me your jest again, or if you want to kill me, but I am yours to command. I can even forgive you. But as for your plan it is plainly impossible.
human
I think I do not care if it is, so long as I have your friendship, said Arnolfo, with strange warmth.
gpt
However, I admit there are many difficulties and many dangers in our plot, but what are those that strike you specially?
human
Do I look like an Alsandrian, first of all! Or must I be made up to look like one?
gpt
Heavens, we will not stoop to disguise. Besides, I have a touch of the artist, sir, in my composition, and never would I have your features altered, your colour changed, or a hair of your head displaced. In any case, the Royal Family were always fair. Kradenda was a Viking. Remember, also, you have only to deceive the ignorant mob. All the intelligent men of Alsander are in the plot.
human
But I have been here for weeks! objected Norman.
gpt
Every one knows me as the mad Englishman.
human
You have been playing Haroun Al Rashid, and spending the first days of your return to Alsander spying out the land. It is a very pretty story, and will greatly enhance your popularity. Besides, the Old Poet instructed you to weave a mystery round your movements, and I learn from a sure source that you obeyed him.
gpt
Then all this they tell me, gasped Norman,
human
Of course, and the announcement that his return and his cure are expected. Not a detail has been forgotten by Sforelli. There were guards at the palace, a closed carriage, a special train.
gpt
And the Consul?
human
The Consul is an agent of the British Government, and the British Government, tired of wanting a strong Turkey, happens at this moment to want a strong Alsander.
gpt
And Vorza?
human
Vorza is a fool,
gpt
And the King himself. What shall we do with him?
human
What of him? One of the guards knows of a little tap invented by the Japanese, as simple as the Jiu-jitsu trick with which I felled you in the shop the other day. The King really is the last person to be considered.
gpt
But, really, if you want me to have anything to do with it, cried Norman, in horror,
human
I cannot touch murder.
gpt
Not murder, but removal. What use is the poor devil's life to him or to the world?
human
I am not an Alsandrian. In England we view these things differently,
gpt
In England I believe on one occasion you gave a King a mock trial and then beheaded him under circumstances of inconceivable barbarity. Ah! you're an Englishman, and mad like all of them, as mad as Andrea. Come, I love argument; let's have it out. One life, one rotten, miserable life to buy the happiness of a country, and you won't spend it. You call it principle. When you go to war, what do you care for life? You are not religious in the matter. It's just that fetish you call law. I did not ask you to kill the imbecile yourself; it will be done quietly.
human
I will have nothing to do with any filthy, cold-blooded murder. It isn't fetish: it's simply because I won't.
gpt
And if we deal with you instead of with him?
human
Try. I do not like your cynicism.
gpt
I am sorry. But it is unreason on your part, or else sheer cowardice. By what code of ethics in the world do you justify yourself? You are just frightened to do something that would make your conscience uncomfortable. On what do you base your morality?
human
On feeling.
gpt
Would your feelings let you kill a man who was just going to kill some one else?
human
Certainly.
gpt
Then why not a man whose existence does harm to others?
human
Others might think my existence did harm to them.
gpt
But a life that is worthless to itself?
human
May not the poor fool's life be happier than yours or mine? said Norman, who was always fond of abstract argument and apt to grow eloquent in the realm of ideas.
gpt
He lives with his ideal. His cobwebbed, cracked-plaster room is for him a most elegant palace; he sees the phantom courtiers all day long; they bring him presents of fruits and flowers and spices and gold. He is for himself the great Emperor of the World, for all we know.
human
Then you will not justify a political assassination?
gpt
No. It's not so easy as you think, nor are my reasons so trumpery, Arnolfo--for you're as shallow as you are clever. Murder cuts at the source of all society--which war, which is organized killing, does not. Unorganized killing means death not to one man here or there but to society. That is why we English, who think society a good thing, hate murder. Let it loose, unpunished, and if but twenty people are killed the law unheeding, it's worse for society than if twenty thousand perish in war or plague. I will not touch it.
human
Your reasoning is powerful, Norman, but it's not your reason that influences your action. Your act is, as you said before, in accordance with your feelings. I might combat your reason, but I cannot change your convictions. What can we do?
gpt
Well, it's not so terribly urgent to get rid of him.
human
What can possibly be done with him?
gpt
Why, send him to a lunatic asylum, of course.
human
What a ghastly piece of perverted common sense. O, you Englishmen; you have never realized that the French Revolution has occurred. You are still a hundred years behind the Continent. But I am Alsandrian, my friend, I am Southern; I have all the Southern weakness.
gpt
And some of the Southern charm,