human
I reached London just before you, resumed Pound, narrowly watching the effect of every word.
gpt
I waited for your boat at the docks. There were others waiting. I had to take care--they were detectives.
human
I watched them go on board; I watched them come back--without you. They were white with disappointment. Ned Ryan, those men would sell their souls to lay hands on you now!
gpt
Go on!
human
Well, I got drinking with the crew, and found you'd fallen overboard coming up Channel--so they thought; it happened in the night. But you've swum swollen rivers, before my eyes, stronger than I ever see man swim before or since, and I was suspicious. Ships get so near the land coming up Channel. I went away and made sure you were alive, if I could find you. At last, by good luck, I did find you.
gpt
Where?
human
At the Exhibition. I took to loafing about the places you were sure to go to, sooner or later, as a swell, thinking yourself safe as the Bank. And that's where I found you--the swell all over, sure enough. You stopped till the end, and that's how I lost you in the crowd going out; but before that I got so close I heard what you were saying to your swell friends: how you'd bring 'em again, if they liked; what you'd missed that day, but must see then. So I knew where to wait about for you. But you took your time about coming again. Every day I was waiting and watching--and starving. A shilling a day to let me into the place; a quid in reserve for when the time came; and pence for my meals. Do you think a trifle'll pay for all that? When you did turn up again yesterday, you may lay your life I never lost sight of you.
gpt
I should have known you any time; why you went about in that rig----
human
I had no others. I heard fools whisper that I was a detective, moreover, and that made me feel safe.
gpt
You followed me down here yesterday, did you? Then why do nothing till to-night?
human
Why did you wait?