human
Exactly as I thought! he exclaimed, when he had finished his examination of the patient.
gpt
You'll be as right as a trivet in three months or so from now. Good food and fresh air are what you want. Your case, my good sir, is one in which I can approve of Macbeth's advice to 'throw physic to the dogs.' By the by, captain, turning towards Graham,
human
Now, Mr. Lees, began the doctor,
gpt
Not a few, I imagine, in the roadstead, but on the _Elora_ I should say certainly not, replied the supercargo, in a low voice.
human
My position as chairman of the committee has naturally not contributed to popularity amongst the savages of these parts, and I could name at least five or six of the guano thieves who wish I'd never come to Ichaboe, and who certainly wouldn't be sorry to see the last of me.
gpt
Particularly Captain Ivory, eh? From what I've been told he's the sort of man who would stick at nothing. But what I should like to know is this: What motive could he have for poisoning you, and, presuming that he's the instigator of this crime, who is his accomplice?
human
I DON'T MERELY SUSPECT IT, MY DEAR SIR--I KNOW IT.
gpt
said the sick man in astonishment, raising himself on his elbow and gazing at Maxwell with something of the old fire in his eyes.
human
Do you really suspect that my illness is due to a criminal hand?
gpt
I don't merely suspect it, my dear sir--I _know_ it. I suspected it when I first saw you, but I'm certain now. You've been systematically poisoned for several months past, and not solely by mercury and croton oil, but by Calabar bean as well. We may, a little later, if we can get hold of some of the poison, be able to prove our statement by analysis. Meanwhile, we know we've got hold of the truth, and what we've got to do is to find out the person or persons who have had a hand in this affair.
human
Then you may make up your mind, doctor, that it's Jasper who's done it, affirmed Captain Graham, emphatically.
gpt
Poison's exactly the sort o' weapon he'd use, the double-faced, smooth-tongued villain that he is.
human
I grant you, captain, that he's all that, and much more besides, perhaps. But before we fix this crime upon him we've to discover first what motive he could have in committing it; and, secondly, what means he adopted.
gpt
Not much difficulty in assignin' a motive when we recall the ambuscade and its subsequent effects, returned Graham.
human
Twelve months' interdict against his name; checkmated aboard his own ship, if you please, and unable, ever since that day, to get the least sympathy from our gallant chairman here, though Jasper's friends tried their hardest in committee. But you'll have to hear the whole story, doctor, 'fore you can understand right, so by your leave and Mr. Lees' I'll spin you the yarn from the beginnin'.
gpt
Seems to me the business fairly bristles with motives. What beats me, though, is the question of his accomplice, seein' as there ain't more than five or six of us who have entered this cabin regular-like; and I've never thought o' lookin' to find a traitor among the crew o' the _Elora_. I could have taken my davy there wasn't a dishonest man aboard.
human
I shall be inclined to say that Ivory is guilty, if only we can find the link between him and this ship, said Maxwell at last.
gpt
You have had your meals, I understand, almost invariably alone, Mr. Lees. By whom were they prepared and served?
human
By Daniel White, the steward.
gpt
A man--I take it from Captain Graham--who has nothing against his character?
human
Came to me two years ago with a clean score, chimed in the captain of the _Elora_,
gpt
He has certainly shown the greatest attention to me during my illness; has been thoughtful and obliging in the extreme, said the supercargo.
human
Yet it seems to me, captain, he added, after a thoughtful pause,
gpt
Conversation in July, in my cabin, about thefts? repeated the captain, slowly and thoughtfully.
human
Well, now you mention it, I do. But I fail to see its connection.