human
Coming to join the party?
gpt
We are, replied Mr. Torrington,
human
Say, you serious, Mr. Wise Man?
gpt
Perfectly.
human
What'll you take?
gpt
All you've got.
human
What in hell do you make of that?
gpt
He wass a doughty adversary, dis Mr. Torrington, he replied.
human
Must egshpect dis sort of ting.
gpt
Guess there's more behind it than that. What are they hoping on, anyway?
human
Donno--donno.
gpt
Forgive my intrusion, gentlemen, he said,
human
Our mutual friend, Mister Cranbourne?
gpt
I was referring to a gentleman whose initials are A. B.
human
A. B.! Wasn't that the guy who went out to look for a radium field three weeks ago today?
gpt
The same, said Cranbourne sweetly.
human
But we had reason to believe he changed his plans and accepted another invitation.
gpt
You've been dreaming, dear,
human
Perhaps I have, Mr. Hipps. The matter is of no great importance but I dreamt of the Old Bailey among other things and of three gentlemen, prominent in financial circles, who were charged with unlawfully detaining someone against his will and endeavouring to induce him to confide certain information.
gpt
And then, I suppose, remarked Hipps,
human
Why, no, replied Cranbourne.
gpt
I sat up in bed and worked out details for the flotation of the Radium Company in which I have an interest.
human
Sure it's the heat, he said.
gpt
There ain't going to be any flotation that I've heard of.
human
Think not? It would be a pity if you gentlemen gave way to overmuch expression of optimism. It hardly accords with your actions of the last few days.
gpt
Ver' distressing dis uneven market.
human
I imagine you must have found it so.
gpt
Poor Mister Cassis--he was ver' green dis morning.
human
Our dear Cassis is a born actor. Well, gentlemen, I won't keep you any longer except to offer my sympathy that you have found A. B. so indifferent a confidant. Good day.
gpt
Can't quite get the strength of all that, observed Hipps as he and Van Diest passed out of the main door,
human
Dis evening we make the big effort.
gpt
And assumin' it fails?
human
Dat would be a peety--such a peety.
gpt
I've half a mind to turn on the girl again. Let her vamp the secret out of him. We don't progress, you know. Say, you don't think they've a line on where we've got him hid?
human
No, no, no. S'all right. S'arranged too well.
gpt
Then I'll trot up West and buy Auriole a lunch. What time tonight?
human
At nine o'clock.
gpt
I'll be along.