human
Tired waiting?
gpt
Very tired,
human
Did you bring a horse?
gpt
No, I didn't,
human
Then you have deceived me,
gpt
Nothing of the kind, answered Shanks.
human
I've learned some tremendous news since I went from here this morning.
gpt
News?
human
Yes. Twon't be safe for you to go back to the city.
gpt
Not safe? What do you mean?
human
This is what I mean, said the peddler, sinking to his knees and adjusting the black patch carefully over his eye.
gpt
The whole burgh is in a state of excitement over the discovery of the murderer of Victoria Vane.
human
He has been discovered then?
gpt
Wait. A squad of police went to your house this morning and hunted high and low for you. The papers say that August Bordine murdered the Ridgewood girl, and that he fled last night from the city to escape arrest. What do you think of that?
human
It's all false.
gpt
I suppose so, but if you should fall into the hands of the officers just now, you wouldn't be given half chance for your life.
human
But who started this yarn?
gpt
It seems to be the murdered girl's brother who is engineering the search. He is determined that his sister's murderer shall be brought to justice.
human
That is right of course.
gpt
Yes, but the evidence points strongly to you. I think, with a speedy trial, you could be convicted, I vow I do, Mr. Bordine. Dare you go back and risk it?
human
I am innocent--
gpt
True, but you _seem_ guilty. The girl, they say, was stabbed--
human
Yes, with a small dirk.
gpt
Exactly,
human
Can you tell me what kind of a knife it was?
gpt
It was apparently a two-edged blade.
human
Apparently?
gpt
Yes. Of course I could not tell exactly, since the wound was not easily examined.
human
I see. Then you have not seen the knife--the dagger that found the life of Victoria Vane?
gpt
Certainly not.
human
And yet it was found in your room.
gpt
Impossible!
human
It is true. That evidence alone might hang you.
gpt
My soul! what does, what _can_ this mean?
human
It means that a plot exists for your destruction, and the elevation of another, answered Hiram Shanks, slowly and with deliberation.
gpt
Doubtless your journey last night was a part of the plot. I confess that some things puzzle me, yet I am assured that your death is necessary to the successful issue of a plot.
human
I cannot understand it.
gpt
Nor I, fully.