human
How are you getting on, Mr. Thorold? he said, stepping through the door, which Beauchamp locked behind him.
gpt
You know now who the Quiet Gentleman is. Don't look so scared, sir.
human
Can't help it,
gpt
This business has been rather too much for me. I thought when you knocked, that Lestrange had run his prey to earth.
human
He won't get much out of his prey if he does, said Blair, with a nod to Beauchamp.
gpt
I have seen Mrs. Warrender.
human
And--and--what does she say?
gpt
Say! Blair seated himself and chuckled.
human
She says two thousand pounds will pay her for that confession.
gpt
Then it does exist! Warrender knew the truth!
human
Of course. Didn't I tell you the man was a blackmailing scoundrel? Faith! and his wife is not much better. Two thousand pounds for a bit of paper!
gpt
And for my freedom! said Beauchamp excitedly.
human
Oh to think of being free from the horror which has hung over me all these years! And Warrender knew the truth! What a scoundrel! He always swore that he knew nothing, and I paid him money to hold his tongue about my supposed guilt. Ungrateful wretch! He and his wife arrived in England almost penniless. I met him in London, and, as he knew my story, I brought him down here. I helped him in every way. How was it he left a confession behind him?
gpt
It is an old confession, replied Blair.
human
It seems that Warrender fell ill of fever in New Orleans. His conscience smote him for his villainy, and he made a full confession, signed it, and had it witnessed. When he recovered he did not destroy it, but kept it safely with the rest of his papers. There Mrs. Warrender found it, and she is now prepared to sell it for two thousand pounds. A nice sum, upon my word!
gpt
She shall have it, said Beauchamp eagerly.
human
I would pay five thousand for that confession--I would indeed!
gpt
I dare say. But Mrs. Warrender will give it to you for the lesser sum, sir.
human
Does she know that I am here? Did you tell her?
gpt
Not such a fool, Mr. Beauchamp. She'd have asked five thousand if she had known that. The woman has the blackmailing instinct.
human
Like her brother, put in Alan. Then, observing the looks of surprise directed at him by the other two, he added:
gpt
Didn't you know? Cicero Gramp is Mrs. Warrender's brother. I found that out in London.
human
A nice pair of jail-birds! cried Blair.
gpt
I'd best get that confession at once, or she'll be giving it to Cicero, and they'll demand more money. Mr. Beauchamp, can you give me a check?
human
No, he said, shaking his head.
gpt
You forget, Blair, I am dead and buried, and, what's more, I do not intend ever to come to life again as Marlow. But Mr. Thorold, as Sophy's trustee, can give you the money.
human
If Blair will come to the Abbey Farm, I will do so, said Alan, rising.
gpt
I agree that the sooner the confession is obtained the better, or Cicero may give trouble. By the way, who was it killed Achille, Blair? Was it the doctor himself?
human
No, no! cried Beauchamp.
gpt
It was Scipio, the negro.
human
I can't tell you that; and the inspector shook his head.
gpt
Mrs. Warrender declares that you are innocent, Mr. Beauchamp; but she declines to give any further information until she has received her pound of flesh.
human
She shall have it this very day, said Alan, putting on his cap.
gpt
Come, Blair. Mr. Beauchamp, will you remain here?
human
Yes. I am safer as the Quiet Gentleman than as anything else.
gpt
You don't want me to bring Sophy here?
human
Not until we get that confession, Alan. Sophy might make a scene when she met me. Mrs. Marry would learn the truth, and the news would spread. If Lestrange knew, all would be lost. Get the confession, Alan.
gpt
Yes, I think that is the best plan. Good-day, Mr. Brown,