human
Oscar, I've a peculiar case for you. A great robbery was committed in Rome, Italy. Some very valuable heirlooms were stolen, besides a large collection of gems of great value. A large reward is offered for the thief, and it is believed by the Roman officers that the man is in New York.
gpt
Did they send over a description?
human
No, they do not suspect any one man. All they suspect is that the thief fled from Rome and is in New York.
gpt
A man must start on nothing in this case.
human
That is about the size of it.
gpt
They don't know whether the man is an Italian or not?
human
No, but they do know that he is a desperate fellow. He killed one of the servants in the house at the time he committed the robbery. They believe he is an Italian.
gpt
Have you a photograph of any members of the family that was robbed?
human
No.
gpt
Nor a photograph of the servant who was murdered.
human
No.
gpt
Chief, a man who is blindfolded in a dark room can't see a crack in the wall.
human
Hardly.
gpt
There are thousands upon thousands of Italians in New York.
human
Yes.
gpt
And many of them are hard characters--desperate fellows.
human
You are right. But there are a great many excellent Italians in New York--men of the highest character and integrity.
gpt
I know that.
human
They will aid you.
gpt
How can they aid me? Italy is a very big country. I'd look foolish merely to tell them that a robbery had been committed in Rome and that I wanted to find out something about it.
human
What do you want?
gpt
I want something to start on.
human
The Roman police have given us all they can.
gpt
They haven't given us anything.
human
Then you think it's no use to start in?
gpt
I didn't say so. If the man is in New York I'll find him, but I must have something to work on.
human
I don't know what I can give you.
gpt
I want a photograph of every member of the family that was robbed. I want a photograph of the servant that was killed, and then I want certain questions answered direct from the family.
human
We will have to send to Italy.
gpt
Good enough. I will prepare my questions at once. You can send to Rome for what I want, and in the meantime I will be looking around. It will take about three weeks or a month for us to get a return from Rome. By that time I may have something to start out on, at least a subject for the working of the plan I may form after I hear from Rome.
human
I see your point, Oscar; it's well taken.