human
Not at all. What can I do for you?
gpt
The fact is, my lord, I should like to ask you a few questions, but I warn you that your answers may be used against you.
human
I have nothing to fear. What is it you want to know?
gpt
Have you missed a bag, my lord?
human
That confounded bag! It has turned up at last,
gpt
You had better ask my man. He knows more about my things than I do,
human
Quite so, my lord. But I fancy that as far as this particular bag is concerned, that is not the case.
gpt
Why not?
human
Because I do not see what reason he could have had for hiding one of his master's bags up the chimney.
gpt
So the bag was found up the chimney? Will you tell me what motive I am supposed to have had for wishing to conceal it? Is there anything remarkable about it? Did it contain anything you thought I might want to get rid of?
human
It's no use, my lord. We know that Priscilla Prentice bought this bag a fortnight ago in Newhaven. Now, if you are able to explain how it came into your possession, I would strongly advise your doing so.
gpt
I have never to my knowledge laid eyes on the girl, and I cannot, therefore, believe that a bag of hers has been found here.
human
We can prove it, replied the inspector.
gpt
The maker's name is inside and the man who sold it to her is willing to swear that it is the identical bag. One of our men has made friends with your chamber-maid and she confessed that she had discovered it stuffed up the chimney in your bedroom. She is a stupid girl and thought you had thrown it away, so she took it. Only afterwards, it occurred to her that you had a purpose in placing the bag where she had found it and she was going to return it when my man prevented her from doing so.
human
Very remarkable! It all fits together like clock-work. I congratulate you, Inspector, said Cyril, trying to speak superciliously.
gpt
But you omitted to mention the most important link in the chain of evidence you have so cleverly forged against me, he continued.
human
How am I supposed to have got hold of this bag? I did not stop in Newhaven and you have had me so closely watched that you must know that since my arrival in England I have met no one who could have given it to me.
gpt
No, my lord, we are by no means sure of this. Quite the contrary. It is true that we have, so to speak, kept an eye on you, but, till yesterday, we had no reason to suspect that you had any connection with the murder, so we did not think it necessary to have you closely followed. There have been hours when we have had no idea where you were.
human
You surprise me!
gpt
It is quite possible, continued the inspector without heeding Cyril's interruption,
human
Really! And why should they have given this bag to me, of all people? Surely you must see that they could have found many easier, as well as safer, ways of disposing of it.
gpt
Quite so, my lord, and that is why I am inclined to believe that it was not through either of them that the bag came into your possession. I think it more probable that her Ladyship brought it with her.
human
Her Ladyship? What do you mean?
gpt
You told me yourself that her Ladyship met you in Newhaven; that, in fact, she had spent the night of the murder there.