human
Shine yer boots?
gpt
I guess not,
human
I'll shine 'em for nothin',
gpt
Why for nothing?
human
You gave me a dinner yesterday,
gpt
Are you the boy?
human
I'm the one, answered Julius.
gpt
Will you have a shine?
human
I don't want any pay for the dinner, said Paul.
gpt
You're welcome to it.
human
I'd rather give you a shine,
gpt
All right,
human
Won't you let me pay for it?
gpt
No,
human
Thank you, then. Have you had good luck this morning?
gpt
I got four shines,
human
I once blacked boots myself, for a little while,
gpt
You're doin' better now.
human
Yes, I'm doing better now. So will you some day, I hope.
gpt
Do you live in a house on Madison avenue?
human
Yes, said Paul, surprised.
gpt
Who told you?
human
You take care of the house for a gentleman as has gone to Europe, don't you?
gpt
How do you know it?
human
I want to tell you something said Julius,
gpt
All right. Go ahead!
human
Ain't there some gold and bonds kept in the house?
gpt
Why do you ask?
human
There's a couple of chaps that's plannin' to rob the house,
gpt
Who are they? How do you know it?
human
One is Jack Morgan, the man I live with; the other is a friend of his, Tom Marlowe.
gpt
Did you hear them talking about it?
human
Yes; last night.
gpt
Did they tell you about it?
human
They wanted me to find out all about you--if you'd got any friends in Brooklyn, or anywheres round. They want to get you off the night they're goin' to break in.
gpt
When is that?
human
Next Monday.
gpt
What made you tell me all this?
human
Give me your hand,
gpt
It's dirty,
human
Never mind, said Paul, grasping it warmly.
gpt
You're a good fellow, and I'd rather take your hand than a good many that's cleaner.
human
Now, said Paul,
gpt
Yes, I will,
human
Then I'll depend upon you. What sort of a man is this that you live with? What's his name?
gpt
His name is Jack Morgan. He's a bad sort, he is. He's shut up most of the time.
human
What makes you stay with him?
gpt
I'm used to him. There ain't nobody else I belong to.
human
Is he your father?
gpt
No, he ain't.
human
Any relation?
gpt
Sometimes he says he's my uncle, but maybe it ain't so--I dunno.
human
Is he a strong man?
gpt
Yes; he's a hard customer in a fight.
human
How about the other man?
gpt
That's Marlowe. He's the same sort. I like Jack best.
human
Do you think they will try to break in next Monday night?
gpt
If they think you are away.
human
What will you tell them?
gpt
What do you want me to tell them?
human
I don't know, said Paul, thoughtfully.
gpt
If you should say I was going to be away, they'd want to know where, and how you found out. They might suspect something.
human
That's so,
gpt
Suppose they heard that I would remain in the house, what would they do to prevent it?
human
They might get you took up on a false charge and put in the station-house over night, or maybe they'd seize you if they got a chance and lock you up somewhere.
gpt
How could they have heard that Mr. Talbot left any valuables in the house?
human
You may tell them, said Paul, after a moment's thought,
gpt
Whereabouts in Brooklyn?
human
No. 116 Third avenue, said Paul, at a venture.
gpt
Can you remember?
human
Yes.
gpt
They will probably send a message from her late Monday evening for me to go over there.
human
Will you go?
gpt
I will leave the house, for they will probably be watching; but I shall not go far, and I shall leave the house well guarded.
human
I'll tell 'em,
gpt
Won't you get yourself into trouble? he said.
human
I should not want to have any harm come to you.
gpt
They won't know I'm in the game,
human
Will you come to-morrow and let me know what they say?
gpt
Yes.