human
Please see me for the sake of the Untergasse affair;
gpt
The chief will see you in a minute or two, Herr Lassen. I'm glad.
human
You're giving me a lot of trouble, young man, as you can see, he said, pointing to a portfolio in which there appeared to be a lot of papers on the top of which were the coveted tickets for Nessa and me.
gpt
And now what about this Untergasse affair? Found anything out that's valuable? I can't give you many minutes.
human
I'm in a devil of a mess, sir, but it has nothing to do with that. I wrote that because I was compelled to see you.
gpt
I agree with you. You've been in one ever since you reached the city, it seems to me, indeed. Nothing fresh, I trust?
human
There is, and the worst of all, sir. I'm in danger of being charged with murder.
gpt
With what? he cried in amazement.
human
Phew! Well, tell me.
gpt
When I saw you this morning I gathered that the reason those tickets for Miss Caldicott and myself could not be used was because of the trouble about the woman, Anna Hilden.
human
True, but you yourself said you wished it cleared up first.
gpt
So on leaving here I went to see her again.
human
Good God, you don't mean to say you lost your head and laid hands on her in this awful way?
gpt
Oh dear no, sir. I hope I'm not capable of such a thing. From what she said, I became certain the whole thing was a fraud and----
human
So it is, he interposed, nodding.
gpt
You are right. We know all about the woman already. Go on.
human
I tried persuasion first; but that was no use, so I let her know that the matter was in your hands.
gpt
I hope that frightened her.
human
It did, sir. She was almost out of her wits and promised to tell me everything this afternoon. I was to call at five o'clock.
gpt
Where did you go next?
human
To the von Reblings.
gpt
To tell Miss Caldicott about these, I suppose?
human
Yes. I knew she would be very anxious.
gpt
You're not a fool, my boy, and you must see that your zeal on that young lady's account is likely to rouse a lot of suspicion. What do the von Reblings say about it?
human
They are extremely anxious that she should be allowed to go home.
gpt
Umph! a grunt and a nod, both of which were repeated.
human
And where did you go next after leaving them?
gpt
Are you going to tell me the whole truth? We get to know many strange things here, you know.
human
I went to see a man named Graun----
gpt
I know you did. You were followed and he was questioned. I won't ask you why you got what you did from him; but don't attempt to use it. Now go on about this other affair. Just everything; everything, and quite frankly.
human
I will, sir. Let me get my thoughts in order again. You've taken me considerably by surprise.