human
So you are safely caged at last, my dear Keene,
gpt
And this is your work, August Bordine, after all the confidence I placed in you,
human
It was merely a game of wits, Mr. Keene. I was too smart for you, in spite of the fact that you're reputed to be the sharpest man-tracker in Gotham. I think it would pay you to hire me for a spell.
gpt
This, then, was a put-up job?
human
That's about the size of it.
gpt
That runaway and injury to yourself that the papers speak about was only a blind?
human
Only a blind, my dear Keene.
gpt
I don't mind telling you, seeing you're not likely to give me any further trouble, that I shall marry the heiress to the Alstine estates and quit the precarious work that I have all along been following, and hereafter live a gentleman.
human
Indeed!
gpt
You congratulate me on my plan?
human
No. You cannot carry it out.
gpt
And why not, pray? You won't be there to interfere, Mr. Keene. I have provided against such a contingency.
human
You have a wife living.
gpt
So you imagine, so _she_ imagines; but it is a mere show. Iris is not my wife.
human
You deceived her with a mock marriage?
gpt
That is about the size of it.
human
What a consummate scoundrel.
gpt
Don't use such pet expressions, my dear Keene, you hurt my feelings, you really do, I assure you.
human
I expect to hurt your neck some time,
gpt
Oh, you do? Let me tell you, Mr. Keene, that that time will never come to you, never.
human
It may come sooner than you imagine.
gpt
I'll risk that.
human
I would like to ask you a question.
gpt
Go on.
human
How about that old lady who occupies your house on ---- street? Is she your mother?
gpt
Yes.
human
Does she know what a scoundrel she has for a son?
gpt
She has no knowledge of my private affairs,
human
And Iris is not your wife?
gpt
That's what I said.
human
And Miss Alstine knows nothing of this, of your plans, your scheming to win a fortune through her?
gpt
Certainly not. I haven't been fool enough to give myself away.
human
I am puzzled to know why you saved me from the tramp last night, and took me to your home and nursed me so tenderly. Since you are so anxious to have me out of your way, why did you not leave me to die on the vacant lot, or give the finishing stroke there. It would have been the wisest plan, it seems to me, for such a reckless villain as you are, to pursue.
gpt
You do not understand me yet, Mr. Keene. Truth to tell I am one of the most tender-hearted creatures in the world. I haven't the heart to strike a man when he's down. I sympathized with you, and what is more, I wished to blind your eyes to my true intentions. You had put the bracelets on me and proclaimed that you were going to lead me to prison. I wanted to prove to you that you had made a mistake.
human
It seems I made no mistake after all, uttered Keene.
gpt
You are the right person, and I never ought have permitted you to go free an hour after I made the discovery of your villainy.
human
What discovery do you refer to?
gpt
The murder of Victoria Vane.
human
Then you still hold to the opinion that I committed that deed?
gpt
Certainly I do.
human
Well, see here, Mr. Keene, I have you completely in my power, and do not intend that you shall ever again see the light of day. Under such circumstances I have no reason for uttering a falsehood. I solemnly assure you that I did not harm that poor girl. I am as innocent of that as you are. I did flirt with her a little I admit, but there was nothing serious took place, I would be willing to swear to this.
gpt
I believe you will yet swing for that murder,