human
We must see this through, Robert, he said.
gpt
We were in a tighter corner at Ypres, remember. Keep as quiet as you can. Now, then.
human
Who's there?
gpt
What are you doing in my grounds? Tallente demanded.
human
Who are you?
gpt
I am Gillian--Inspector Gillian. What are you doing out here, Mr. Tallente?
human
It seems to me that the boot is on the other leg, he said.
gpt
I should like to know what the mischief you mean by wandering around my grounds at this hour of the night without my permission?
human
My presence here, sir, the inspector announced,
gpt
Confidence for confidence, Tallente replied.
human
So is mine.
gpt
You've been over there, he said.
human
I have, Tallente admitted.
gpt
I've made a search that I don't fancy you'd have tackled yourself. I've been down the cliff to the beach.
human
What reason had you for supposing that you might discover Mr. Palliser's body there?
gpt
I will take you into my confidence, Mr. Inspector, he said.
human
This afternoon I strolled round here with a lady caller, just before you came, and I fancied that I heard a faint cry. I took no notice of it at the time, but to-night, after dinner, I wandered out here again, and again I fancied I heard it. It got on my nerves to such an extent that I fetched Robert here, a coil of rope, put on some shoes with spikes and tried to remember that I was an Alpine climber.
gpt
You've been down to the beach and back, sir?
human
Every inch of the way. The last eighty feet or so I had to scramble.
gpt
Did you discover anything, sir?
human
Not a thing. I couldn't even find a broken twig in any of the little clumps of outgrowing trees. There wasn't a sign of the sand having been disturbed anywhere down the face of the cliff, and I shouldn't think a human being had been on that beach during our lifetimes. I have had my night's work for nothing.
gpt
It was just the cry you fancied you heard which made you undertake this expedition?
human
Precisely!
gpt
When was this smashed?
human
I have no idea, Tallente answered.
gpt
All the woodwork about the place is rotten.
human
Doesn't it occur to you, sir, as being an extraordinarily dangerous thing to put it back in exactly the same position as though it were sound?
gpt
Iniquitous,
human
I am going to bed now. he said.
gpt
Can I offer you any refreshment, Mr. Inspector, or are your investigations not yet complete?
human
I thank you, sir, but I require nothing. I have some men up in the wood there and I shall join them presently. I am staying in the neighborhood.
gpt
If you would care to search for yourself, Mr. Inspector, we'll help you down.
human
Scarcely a job for a man of my build, sir. I have a professional climber coming to-morrow. I wish you had informed me of your intention to go down to-night.
gpt
If you had informed me of your intention to remain in the neighborhood, that might have been possible, was the cool reply. The man took the loose wooden rail from its place and held it under his arm.
human
Walking off with a portion of my fence, eh?
gpt
A clue? Tallente asked him lightly. The other turned away.
human
It is not my place, sir, he announced,
gpt
No one has convinced me yet, Tallente replied,
human
The inspector coughed.
gpt
I wish you good night, sir. He disappeared along the narrow path. They listened to his retreating footsteps. Tallente picked up his end of the rope.
human
I was right, he said, as he led the way back to the house.
gpt
Quite the Inspector Bucket type.