human
Who did it?
gpt
I can't say--I don't know, stammered Alan, taken aback by her attitude generally.
human
We must find out. If your father had enemies--but even an enemy would have had no object in doing this.
gpt
What about the man in Bournemouth?
human
Cicero Gramp? I intend to go up to London to-morrow and see him. If he can tell the truth, it will be well worth the money he demands.
gpt
So I think, Alan. Can't you go to-day?
human
There is so much to do here, Sophy. The Rector has gone to break the news of her husband's death to Mrs. Warrender. And he has sent over to Burchester for the police. The inspector--Blair is his name--will be here at noon. I did not want the police brought into the matter, but Mr. Phelps insisted.
gpt
Why did you not want to consult the police?
human
I am afraid if this vagabond gets wind that the law has intervened he may give us the slip. However, I shall go up to Dixon's Rents first thing in the morning, before the case gets into the papers.
gpt
Do you think this man Gramp has anything to do with the murder, and with the removing of poor father's body?
human
No, I don't, replied Alan promptly.
gpt
He would not dare to give evidence if he were. I hear that he was turned out of the Good Samaritan on the night of the funeral. It is likely enough that he saw the removal of the body, and possibly the murder. Naturally, such a creature as that wants to sell his information. He is a blackmailer, this man, but I don't credit him with murder or bodysnatching.
human
Body-snatching! cried Miss Vicky, who was dabbing her red eyes with eau-de-Cologne.
gpt
Oh, the terrible word!
human
Alan, said Sophy, after a pause,
gpt
I do. Warrender was out on that night, and might have come across the man carrying away the body, and the murder might have arisen out of that.
human
How do you know Dr. Warrender was out?
gpt
Mrs. Warrender told the Rector so. Warrender went to see the Quiet Gentleman, but not finding him in, said that he would return. He never did, and now we know the reason.
human
Why don't you make certain whether he saw the Quiet Gentleman?
gpt
Brown? That's impossible; he also has disappeared.
human
Who was he?
gpt
I don't know,
human
Does any one know?
gpt
Not to my knowledge. Perhaps the police may find out. Sophy, what is the matter?
human
It was Brown who took my father's body and killed the doctor! she cried.
gpt
I am certain of it!
human
Why are you certain?
gpt
I feel it. I can't say why.
human
But your father did not know this man. I never heard him allude to the Quiet Gentleman.
gpt
I dare say not, returned Sophy doggedly;
human
Sophia, your father did not know him,
gpt
Oh, I am not so sure of that! cried the girl impatiently.
human
If he did, Joe will know. Ring the bell for him.
gpt
Did Joe know the Quiet Gentleman?
human
I do not think that Joseph did, said Miss Vicky.
gpt
He told me that he tried several times to speak to him, but got no reply.
human
I don't wonder at that, replied the young man dryly;
gpt
Dumb!
human
Didn't you know? Ah, well, perhaps not. I didn't know myself until the Rector told me last night. Yes, he was dumb--that was why the village called him the Quiet Gentleman. Oh, here is Joe!
gpt
Joe, said Sophy, going directly to the point,
human
Yes, miss, said Joe, interrupting to save her mentioning so painful a subject,
gpt
I know, and if I find the swab as did it, I'll kill him.
human
Have you any idea who carried off the body, Joe?
gpt
No, sir, I have not--but, added the man grimly,
human
I'm going to look for him.
gpt
All werry good, said Mr. Brill,
human
He spat on his hands and added slowly,
gpt
I'm that instrument!
human
Had my father any enemies that you know of, Joe?
gpt
No, miss, not that I knowed of. He had rows, as a man should, had the Cap'n, but I don't know any swab as 'ud have stolen his corpse.
human
And murdered Dr. Warrender,
gpt
As you say, sir, replied the sailor calmly,
human
Did you know the Quiet Gentleman, Joe?
gpt
I did not, miss. Brown he called hisself--leastways, Mrs. Marry told me so, for Brown had no tongue. I tried to pass the time o' day, meeting him friendly like on the road, but he only put his hand to his mouth and shook his white head. I don't know nothing about him.
human
Do you know a tramp named Cicero Gramp?
gpt
Well, I did in a way. Joe drew his huge hand across his mouth, and seemed to be considering his reply.
human
In this way, sir. He comed here to the kitchen and put 'em all wrong with his lies. I kicked him out--leastways, I giv 'im something to take 'imself orf.
gpt
What did he come here for?
human
I wish I knowed, I'd ha' broken his cocoanut! said he.
gpt
He was a liar, miss, savin' your presence. Said 'e knowed your father, the Cap'n, which, said Joe slowly,
human
Said he knew my father? echoed Sophy anxiously.
gpt
What did he know about him?
human
Nothin', replied Joe firmly.
gpt
Make your mind easy, miss--nothin'.