human
Miss Chester, said Jimmy, forcing himself to speak calmly,
gpt
Quite true, said Lord Wisbeach.
human
It will be announced to-morrow. A remark trembled on his lips, to the effect that he relied on Jimmy for a fish-slice, but prudence kept it unspoken. He was unable at present to understand Jimmy's emotion. Why Jimmy should object to his being engaged to Ann, he could not imagine. But it was plain that for some reason he had taken the thing to heart, and, dearly as he loved a bit of quiet fun, Lord Wisbeach decided that the other was at least six inches too tall and fifty pounds too heavy to be bantered in his present mood by one of his own physique.
gpt
Why not?
human
It won't be announced to-morrow, said Jimmy.
gpt
Because by to-morrow you will be as far away from here as you can get, if you have any sense.
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Just this. If you haven't left this house by breakfast time to-morrow, I shall expose you.
human
You!
gpt
That's what I said.
human
Who do you think you are, to go about exposing people?
gpt
I happen to be Mrs. Pett's nephew, Jimmy Crocker.
human
Is that the line you are going to take?
gpt
It is.
human
You are going to Mrs. Pett to tell her that you are Jimmy Crocker and that I am a crook and that you only pretended to recognise me for reasons of your own?
gpt
Just that.
human
Forget it! Lord Wisbeach had forgotten to be alarmed in his amusement. He smiled broadly.
gpt
I'm not saying it's not good stuff to pull, but it's old stuff now. I'm sorry for you, but I thought of it before you did. I went to Mrs. Pett directly after lunch and sprang that line of talk myself. Do you think she'll believe you after that? I tell you I'm ace-high with that dame. You can't queer me with her.
human
I think I can. For the simple reason that I really am Jimmy Crocker.
gpt
Yes, you are.
human
Exactly. Yes, I am.
gpt
It was worth trying the bluff, I guess, but it won't work. I know you'd be glad to get me out of this house, but you've got to make a better play than that to do it.
human
Don't deceive yourself with the idea that I'm bluffing. Look here. He suddenly removed his coat and threw it to Lord Wisbeach.
gpt
Read the tailor's label inside the pocket. See the name. Also the address. 'J. Crocker. Drexdale House. Grosvenor Square. London.'
human
That's no proof.
gpt
Perhaps not. But, when you consider the reputation of the tailor whose name is on the label, it's hardly likely that he would be standing in with an impostor, is it? If you want real proof, I have no doubt that there are half a dozen men working on the _Chronicle_ who can identify me. Or are you convinced already?
human
I don't know what fool game you think you're playing, but I can't see why you couldn't have told me this when we were talking after lunch.
gpt
Never mind. I had my reasons. They don't matter. What matters is that you are going to get out of here to-morrow. Do you understand that?
human
I get you.
gpt
Then that's about all, I think. Don't let me keep you.
human
Say, listen. Gentleman Jack's voice was plaintive.
gpt
I think you might give a fellow a chance to get out good. Give me time to have a guy in Montreal send me a telegram telling me to go up there right away. Otherwise you might just as well put the cops on me at once. The old lady knows I've got business in Canada. You don't need to be rough on a fellow.
human
All right. I don't object to that.
gpt
Thanks.
human
Don't start anything, though.
gpt
I don't know what you mean.
human
Come, come, friend of my youth. We have no secrets from each other. I know you're after what's in there, and you know that I know. I don't want to harp on it, but you'll be spending to-night in the house, and I think you had better make up your mind to spend it in your room, getting a nice sleep to prepare you for your journey. Do you follow me, old friend?
gpt
I get you.
human
That will be all then, I think. Wind a smile around your neck and recede.