human
I've been away several times, and now I must tell you why, sir, he said.
gpt
You will remember that I've declared my belief in Harding all along.
human
I've no doubt he feels properly grateful,
gpt
I'm grateful to him. And now I have some satisfaction in being able to prove his innocence. Read this.
human
It sounds conclusive. I see it's signed 'Coral Stanton, clairvoyante.' May I ask how you came to meet this lady and get the document?
gpt
Both things needed some tact, sir,
human
So I should imagine. Rather a delicate business for one so young. You must have seen that your motives were liable to be misunderstood.
gpt
I had to take the risk. As a matter of fact, things threatened to become embarrassing at first. However, I got the statement.
human
What did you give for it?
gpt
A hundred dollars; what Miss Stanton was promised.
human
Then she was hired to act a part? But what made her willing to betray her employers?
gpt
They deserved it, Lance answered in a curious tone.
human
It seems she got into difficulties with the police and had to leave the town; the clairvoyante business was only a blind, and somebody was robbed after gambling at her rooms. The men who made the plot took a shabby advantage of the situation.
gpt
Do you know their names?
human
Yes, said Lance, hesitatingly.
gpt
If you don't mind, sir, I'd rather not mention them.
human
Perhaps that's best. He was silent for a few moments, grappling with this new pain that seared him to the heart. So Gerald had sunk to this!
gpt
Leave the paper here, and send Beatrice to me,
human
Your brother took some trouble to get this for you,
gpt
I will thank Lance; but this note really makes no difference,
human
That's hard to understand.
gpt
I had Craig's word. If I had doubted him, would I have believed this woman? But there's another matter I want to speak of. Craig didn't want me to, but he gave me permission.