human
Ben, I have scarcely a speaking acquaintance with any woman in New Orleans except Anna Bell Morgan--and I have not seen her or communicated with her since--well, you know how long--ever since this damned thing came up like a black fog from Hades, out of which it seems impossible to get--and----
gpt
The plan of getting into Becker's plant is yours. I mentioned it to Superintendent Kitchell. Getting some slaughtered tubercular cattle from Illinois is Kitchell's idea. He wired or wrote, or both, from his office and this is the result. Somebody inside, sure--somebody for them and somebody for you--who is it, Hiram?
human
I haven't mentioned one word to a soul other than you,
gpt
Have you mentioned your boat scheme to any one?
human
Not a person knows of it from me but you and Captain Marianna, and he doesn't know much yet. But this is absolute evidence our finger is on the right spot, he observed shrewdly, then added, less confidently--
gpt
Go ahead, Hiram, I still think your boat scheme a very good one, but be very discreet and see if you can think of any one who would send these notes to you,
human
He is building and must have lumber--he'll fall for some cheap stuff and the river is full of logs--and it's perfectly feasible to saw them----
gpt
Maybe so, Hiram--provided he doesn't keep on knowing what we have for breakfast. I will learn more in a day or two--go ahead as fast as you can about getting ready, but again I ask you to have an interrogation point in front of you all the time.
human
Ben --he began, walking about the room nervously, as though he felt his soul in danger--righteously angered, but as one who showed real bigness--
gpt
I am convinced that they have power enough, so that when they get ready they can for a time make me the goat. I was in sole charge of that wharf when the big thefts were pulled off; what would be easier than to link me up with some poor teamster and send the two of us to slaughter, and even by arrest plant an imputation that could be cited against me all my life? I could take this Becker and tear his purple tallow person into bits with my bare hands and throw the pieces into his own rendering tanks with pleasure!
human
Yes, Hiram, that possibility is present, but perhaps you magnify it.