human
We shall just walk there, came the answer to Norman's first batch of inquiries.
gpt
I often go to the palace, as I live quite near, in the square: I have a dissecting room there: my wife objects to having corpses in the house.
human
Dissecting? In Alsander?
gpt
Yes, replied the doctor, in hollow tones.
human
It was expensive getting corpses in pickle from Paris. So I advertised in the _Centjaro,_ the little local paper you may have seen, the one that hints so broadly that the King of Alsander is already in the town incognito.
gpt
But with success? Surely, in such a religious country....
human
There was money offered, continued Sforelli, dryly.
gpt
My door was besieged. I am not sure I was not responsible for murder, even for parricide. Some of those whose near relations were rejected went away in tears.
human
Well, Doctor Sforelli, to the point. This mad central idea you are sure of--that no one has seen the King; but what about the guards?
gpt
The guards are with us.
human
But why should they be with us?
gpt
They are sensible men, for one thing. They are very old servants of Arnolfo's, for another.
human
Then Vorza?
gpt
He has never seen the King, you know that already.
human
And the other notables?
gpt
All the members of the Town Council, which is the progressive element in Alsander, are with us. For all that, none of them have seen Andrea.
human
But has there been no ceremony? For instance, was Andrea never crowned?
gpt
Yes, but with little pomp. There was only the Bishop there and myself. He was crowned in the empty room.
human
And the Bishop?
gpt
Is fortunately dead. No one lives but myself who saw that mock coronation and a small acolyte who is now one of the most able young men of our party. The people were kept outside, but I remember they applauded, none the less. But the only person who was really impressed was the King himself. It meant a great deal to him, that shabby ceremonial!
human
What has given the King that antique form of speech?
gpt
Before his mind left him, he had as a boy read one book--that of Makso.
human
A! a great book! cried Norman.
gpt
There is real fire in his tales of chivalry.
human
And poetry, too, added Sforelli,
gpt
One hardly realized he was so young,
human
He is your age,
gpt
Is there no hope of cure?
human
None, said the doctor, decisively.
gpt
None--on my professional honour. His delusions come from mental weakness, not from aberration. I might cure a man who had wandered from the road of reason, but not one who has never taken it.
human
You are still determined not to have Andrea killed?
gpt
That I prohibit absolutely,
human
Fortunately, he said,
gpt
How are we to get him there?
human
I think of drugging him, and then driving him there myself to-night. It will not be difficult.
gpt
I have your word, you intend to do this, and to do no more than drug him?
human
Although I consider that this humanitarian project of yours is fraught with great danger to our plans, you may trust me,
gpt
And what am I to do while you do this?