human
I have sat in this chair for twenty-five years, said the head of the C.I.D.,
gpt
Aren't you feeling well?
human
I'm all right, sir, said Jack,
gpt
Facts! said the other scornfully.
human
What facts have you given us?
gpt
The fact of the Briggerlands' history, said Jack desperately.
human
Briggerland was broke when he married Miss Meredith under the impression that he would get a fortune with his wife. He has lived by his wits all his life, and until this girl was about fifteen, they were existing in a state of poverty. They lived in a tiny house in Ealing, the rent of which was always in arrears, and then Briggerland became acquainted with a rich Australian of middle age who was crazy about his daughter. The rich Australian died suddenly.
gpt
From an overdose of veronal, said the chief.
human
It was established at the inquest--I got all the documents out after I received your letter--that he was in the habit of taking veronal. You suggest he was murdered. If he was, for what? He left the girl about six thousand pounds.
gpt
Briggerland thought she was going to get it all,
human
That is conjecture, interrupted the chief.
gpt
Go on.
human
Briggerland moved up west, Jack went on,
gpt
That is a theory, too, said the chief, shaking his head.
human
The identity of the girl was never established. It was known that she was a friend of Gunnesbury's, but there was proof that she was in London on the night of his death. It was a clear case of suicide.
gpt
A year later, Jack went on,
human
And is that all?
gpt
All the facts I can gather. There must be other cases which are beyond the power of the investigator to unearth.
human
And what do you expect me to do?
gpt
I don't expect you to do anything, he said frankly.
human
You are not exactly supporting my views with enthusiasm.
gpt
I'd like to help you if you had any real need for help, he said.
human
But when you come to me and tell me that Miss Briggerland, a girl whose innocence shows in her face, is a heartless criminal and murderess, and a conspirator--why, Mr. Glover, what do you expect me to say?
gpt
I expect you to give adequate protection to Mrs. Meredith, said Jack sharply.
human
I expect you, sir, to remember that I've warned you that Mrs. Meredith may die one of those accidental deaths in which Mr. and Miss Briggerland specialise. I'm going to put my warning in black and white, and if anything happens to Lydia Meredith, there is going to be serious trouble on the Thames Embankment.
gpt
Show Mr. Glover the way out,