human
Jane told me that a gentleman was waiting to see me,
gpt
Well, she was right.
human
And you, I suppose, are the gentleman?
gpt
Yes; I am the gentleman,
human
I am not in the habit of receiving visits from gentlemen of your class. However, I suppose you have an object in calling.
gpt
It shall go hard with me if I don't pay you for your sneers some day,
human
Well, he answered,
gpt
I can't say that I have any particular business to see you about. I saw your cousin recently.
human
Florence?
gpt
Yes.
human
What did she say? Did you speak with her?
gpt
Yes. She doesn't seem any more willin' to marry you.
human
She is a foolish girl, he said.
gpt
She doesn't know her own mind.
human
She looks to me like a gal that knows her own mind particularly well.
gpt
Pshaw! what can you know about it?
human
Then you really expect to marry her some time, Mr. Waring?
gpt
Certainly I do.
human
And to inherit your uncle's fortune?
gpt
Of course. Why not?
human
I was thinkin' of the boy.
gpt
The boy is dead----
human
What!
gpt
Don't be a fool. Wait till I finish my sentence. He is dead so far as his prospects are concerned. Who is there that can identify him with the lost child of John Linden?
human
I can.
gpt
Yes; if any one would believe you. However, it is for your interest to keep silent.
human
That is just what I want to know. I suppose you can make it for my interest.
gpt
Yes, and will--after I get the property. I don't believe in counting my chickens before they are hatched.
human
Of course you know that the boy has left me?
gpt
Yes, answered Curtis, indifferently.
human
He is with my cousin, I believe.
gpt
Yes; and through her I can learn where he is, and get hold of him if I desire.
human
Do you propose to get him back?
gpt
I am right, thought Bolton, shrewdly.
human
From his manner it is easy to see that Curtis is quite at ease as regards Dodger. He knows where he is!
gpt
You asked me what business I came about, Mr. Waring,
human
Yes.
gpt
Of course I am devoted to your interests, but is it quite fair to make me wait till you come into your fortune before allowing me anything?
human
I think so.
gpt
You don't seem to consider that I can bring the boy here and make him known to your uncle as the son he lost so long ago?
human
You are quite sure you can bring the boy here?
gpt
Why not? I have only to go to Florence and ask her to send the boy to me.
human
You are quite at liberty to do so if you like, Tim Bolton, said Curtis, with a mocking smile.
gpt
I am glad, at any rate, that you have shown me what is in your mind. You are very sharp, but you are not quite so sharp as I am.
human
I don't understand you.
gpt
Then I will be more explicit. It's out of your power to make use of the boy against me, because----
human
Well?
gpt
Because he is not in the city.
human
Where is he, then?
gpt
Where you are not likely to find him.
human
If you have killed him----
gpt
The boy is safe--I will tell you that much, he said;
human
Then, I suppose, said Bolton, assuming an air of mortification and discomfiture,
gpt
You are quite right. I wish you a pleasant journey home. Give my love to Florence when you see her.
human
That man is a fiend! soliloquized Bolton, as he walked back, leisurely, to his place of business.
gpt
Let me get hold of Dodger and I will foil him yet!