human
Ross Duggan's no murderer--and you know it, dash you! he gave out in a harsh, curt voice.
gpt
And it's no business of yours what I was doing here last night. I'm a friend of the family----
human
But forbidden the house, I take it?
gpt
You're exceedin'ly well informed upon family affairs, I must say! he retorted tartly.
human
Yes--forbidden the house by the master of it (poor old chap!) and therefore--well, I'm not goin' to say any more. It may implicate someone else who's entirely innocent, and you won't get my mouth open with a sledge-hammer and a nail!
gpt
And no necessity for it, either--you dunderheaded young donkey! thought Cleek amusedly.
human
For if you haven't given the whole show away, and made it perfectly plain to everybody that you were meeting your sweetheart--or about to do so--then my name's not Cleek--which, of course, it isn't! And there's no telling but that you're a better actor than you make out! And this may be a 'blind'--but at present there's no 'cover' to draw, so we'll be off cantering in the other direction until the scent's a bit stronger in _yours_.
gpt
Well, if you won't, you won't. These are not the days of the thumbscrew and the rack, Captain Macdonald, and a man's tongue cannot be made to speak by any other means than a little confinement in a prison cell. And I don't think that's really necessary, in your case, do you, Mr. Narkom? So we'll let that pass for the present. But I'd like you to understand that--on account of your refusing to acquaint us with the facts of your presence here in the grounds of this place last night--we are obliged, in the maintenance of Law and Order, to put you upon your parole.
human
Thanks very much.