human
I know you and Haslemere always hated my detective talents--if any. But they might come in useful now, if I could get an inspiration,
gpt
Perhaps.
human
For heaven's sake what is it?
gpt
If I have one, it's my own, I drily replied.
human
I don't see why I should give it away. This is _your_ business--yours and Haslemere's. Why should I be interested? Neither of you are interested in mine.
gpt
You mean, your ideas are for sale?
human
My _help_ is for sale--at a price.
gpt
The price of our receiving your wife, I suppose!
human
Oh, it's higher than that! I may have guessed something. I may be able to do something with that guess; but I'm hanged if I'll dedicate a thought or act to your service unless you, Haslemere, personally ask Maida's forgiveness for the cruel injustice you once did without stopping to make sure whether you were right or wrong: unless you, Violet, ask my wife--_ask_ her, mind you!--to let you present her to the King and Queen at the first Court after the war.
gpt
We'll do anything--anything! wailed Violet.
human
I'll crawl on my knees for a mile to your Maida, if only you can really get the jewels back before people find out how we've been fooled.
gpt
I don't want you to crawl, said I.
human
You can walk, or even motor to Maida--or come out in a boat to the yacht where she's waiting for me and my news. But if I can do any useful work, it will be to-night.
gpt
Do you think you can--oh, do you _think_ you can?
human
That's just what I must do. I must think, I said.
gpt
Perhaps meanwhile the police will make a lucky stroke If so, you'll owe me nothing. If they don't----
human
They won't--I feel they won't!