human
Mr. Cullen!
gpt
At your service, sir.
human
This is not a professional visit, I trust?
gpt
Not entirely, sir, Mr. Cullen admitted.
human
At the same time--
gpt
I trust, I began hastily,
human
Precisely about him, sir, that I came to see you, Mr. Cullen interrupted.
gpt
I am bound to admit that a few weeks ago there was no man in the world I would have laid my hands on so readily. That day at the Ritz, however, changed my views completely. I feel, he added, with a dry smile,
human
So it was you who sent the cables that brought her over!
gpt
But please remember, sir, he begged apologetically,
human
What has Mr. Bundercombe been up to now?
gpt
Nothing serious--at any rate, that I know of, Mr. Cullen assured me.
human
For the last fortnight--ever since Mrs. Bundercombe's arrival, in fact-- Mr. Bundercombe has somehow or other managed to keep away from all his old associates and out of any sort of mischief. Last night, however, I was out on duty--I haven't had time to go home and change my clothes yet--in a pretty bad part, shadowing one of the most dangerous swell mobsmen in Europe--a man you may have heard of, sir. He is commonly known as Dagger Rodwell.
gpt
Tell me, though, I begged,
human
Just this, Mr. Cullen explained:
gpt
I ran my man to ground in a place where I wouldn't be seen except professionally--and with him was Mr. Bundercombe.
human
They were not engaged, I asked quickly,
gpt
Rodwell only goes in for the very big coups, he said.
human
Two or three in a lifetime, if he brought them off, would be enough for him. All the same there's something planning now and he's fairly got hold of Mr. Bundercombe. He's a smooth-tongued rascal--absolutely a gentleman to look at and speak to. What I want you to do, sir, if you're sufficiently interested, is to take Mr. Bundercombe away for a time.
gpt
Interested! I groaned.
human
He'll be my father-in-law in a couple of months.
gpt
Then if you want him to attend the ceremony, sir, Mr. Cullen advised earnestly,
human
I'll do what I can, I assured him a little blankly.
gpt
To tell you the truth I have been fearing something of this sort. During the last few days especially his daughter tells me he has been making all sorts of excuses to get away. I'll do what I can--and many thanks, Mr. Cullen. Let me offer you something.