human
Groener, demanded the magistrate impressively,
gpt
I do,
human
As I said before, I think you are lying, I believe you killed Martinez, but it's possible I am mistaken. I was mistaken in my first impression about Kittredge--the evidence seemed strong against him, and I should certainly have committed him for trial had it not been for the remarkable work on the case done by M. Coquenil.
gpt
I realize that, replied Groener with a swift and evil glance at the detective,
human
It's just as well this fellow is where he can't do any more harm!
gpt
I warned you, pursued the judge,
human
You say it _forces_ him to betray himself?
gpt
That's practically what it does. There may be men strong enough and self-controlled enough to resist but we haven't found such a person yet. It's true the system is quite recently devised, it hasn't been thoroughly tested, but so far we have had wonderful results and--it's just the thing for your case.
human
Why?
gpt
Because, if you are guilty, we shall know it, and can go on confidently looking for certain links now missing in the chain of evidence against you. On the other hand, if you are innocent, we shall know that, too, and--if you _are_ innocent, Groener, here is your chance to prove it.
human
How convenient! I suppose you have a scales that registers innocent or guilty when the accused stands on it?
gpt
It's simpler than that. We make the accused register his own guilt or his own innocence _with his own words_.
human
Whether he wishes to or not?
gpt
Within certain limits--yes.
human
How?
gpt
On these sheets, he explained,
human
M. Coquenil and I have written down about a hundred words, simple, everyday words, most of them, such as 'house,' 'music,' 'tree,' 'baby,' that have no particular significance; among these words, however, we have introduced thirty that have some association with this crime, words like 'Ansonia,' 'billiards,' 'pistol.' Do you understand?
gpt
Yes.