human
This is the return I get for the money I have paid you!
gpt
It's a bluff!
human
Can you assure me of that?
gpt
I can't swear to it of course. Mr. Deaves gives me the slip once in a while. And there was one day I was not with him. But he says he didn't go out that day. I'm sure it's a bluff. If they had a new story on him they'd send it fast enough.
human
Maybe they're going to print the last one.
gpt
Maybe. But in that case why not say so? They have shown a queer sense of honour heretofore in suggesting that when you paid for a story that was done with. Have you got the envelope this came in?
human
Irish linen paper. The post-mark was Hamilton Grange. A small peculiarity that Evan marked was that though it had been sent from a New York post-office the words
gpt
New York City
human
What do you think about this Mrs. Drayton?
gpt
A woman above suspicion. They're using her as they used Hassell. Easy enough to plant somebody in the Red Cross shop to watch the packages received. Someone to buy the picture you send.
human
You advise me to ignore this then?
gpt
No, if it was me I'd call their bluff. Have a better moral effect. Get an old picture from somewhere and stick a piece of paper in the back. The fellow who wrote this letter fancies himself as a humorist. Answer him in kind. Write on the paper: 'Show me first your wares.'
human
What does that mean?
gpt
A quotation from Simple Simon,
human
Very well, I'll do it.
gpt
How does she get the money out of them?