human
Have you heard of Sir Luton Delayne since that date?
gpt
Why, everyone in Switzerland has heard of him. He’s been staying at Grindelwald, painting the place red. There was a regular row there the other night. Some fellow in the Fusiliers accused him of cheating at bridge, and Sir Luton knocked him down in the hall. They say he wouldn’t fight it out, and bolted next morning. Now the police are after him, and there’ll be a pretty to do if he’s caught. I wonder you didn’t hear of it?
human
I have been on a steamer, from Egypt, you know. Women do not read the papers as men do. I don’t think they understand the meaning of the word ’news,’ unless it concerns their own circle. When I arrived at Brindisi I was naturally anxious to get on here. I see that I am very much out of date.
gpt
Of course you are. The hotel talked about nothing else yesterday. There was a rumour that the man intended coming on here. I guess there would have been some moving if he had. But the people won’t have him. The little French secretary Ardlot, who runs the Palace, told me this morning they would have no vacant room if Sir Luton Delayne presented himself.
human
Then he has left Grindelwald finally?
gpt
I should think he has, and wisely too. Barton of the Fusiliers would have shot him if he had stayed. Luton Delayne’s the kind of man who doesn’t like playing tame pheasant. He gets out of the wood before the beaters are in. I shouldn’t wonder if he is a hundred miles the other side of Pontarlier this morning.
human
Wisdom in this case being the better part of valour—but is not this the hotel? I hope it is, for I am deadly tired, and thank you so much for your great kindness.
gpt
I’m not staying at the Palace, you know, he ran on;
human
but how had he managed to miss her? The
gpt
I am a dreadful bungler, she said, with some reserve;
human
Oh, but I couldn’t help it—I shall dream about it all night.
gpt
Then Dr. Orange must prescribe a sleeping draught for you,