human
What's the matter with you? said the girl laughing.
gpt
I suppose he just woke up and walked off when you weren't looking.
human
He was past walking,
gpt
What do you mean?
human
He was dead.
gpt
Dead! she cried.
human
Are you mad?
gpt
Dead as mutton!
human
Good heavens, what a city this is!
gpt
So it seems!
human
What had happened to him?
gpt
Then that was why the man was so anxious to sell you the cab?
human
That was why.
gpt
What has become of it?
human
God knows!
gpt
Did my--did that man who was riding with you know?
human
No. I told him the same as I told you; that my other fare was drunk.
gpt
I wondered why he rode outside with you. It is not like him to do such things. You are sure he had no hand in it?
human
Why, no, he said.
gpt
How could he? He just happened to pick me up later. But I don't know. Why not? There was something queer about all his actions.
human
What was he like, the dead man?
gpt
A nice old gentleman; plump, smooth-shaven, kindly-looking; looked like a Spanish-American. By Gad! they were all Spanish, weren't they?
human
There was a valise under the body; that's gone too.
gpt
Like that you saw in the hotel up-town?
human
The very same! I never thought of it!
gpt
He had an odd-looking ring on; octagonal red stone with characters cut in it.
human
My uncle! she cried despairingly.
gpt
I suspected it! They have done for him! I was too late!
human
No time for mourning now. Since I couldn't save him, I mean to avenge him!
gpt
If I could tell you how sorry I am!
human
Don't sympathize with me, she said quickly.
gpt
It brings the tears back. I must be hard. Help me to be hard.
human
I am at your service in all ways,
gpt
You see what happened now?
human
I am beginning to.
gpt
I don't know yet how they killed him, but it's clear enough how they disposed of the body. That man learned in some way that it was in your cab. That is why he hired you to take him across the river. The other two men were on board the ferry too. But I paid no attention to them because I was watching him, the man in your cab. When you and he left the cab I followed you up forward. Then the other two went to the cab, of course; searched the body, and then cast it over the rail. You see now why he made you drive on last.
human
Of course!
gpt
Planned with devilish cleverness! she cried.
human
That is like him! Why weren't my eyes opened to his true character earlier! But I'll make him pay! If the body is missing, will it be possible to bring the crime home to the murderer?
gpt
Difficult, said Greg.
human
It may be found floating in the river.
gpt
How could one find out if it was found?
human
It would be taken to the morgue.
gpt
Watch for it for me, will you? she cried eagerly.
human
I couldn't go to such a place. You watch for it, and if it is brought there secure it for me!
gpt
What do you suppose is his object now in masquerading as the man he killed?
human
That I can't guess. I know what happened; I don't know what underlies it all. We've got to find out.