human
A denunciation from the grave, I said.
gpt
It makes your motive plain, and shows your crime was premeditated. When your rival left England, the circumstantial evidence was strongly against him, and though innocent, he was unable to prove an alibi, but that letter will render the discovery of the murderer an easy task.
human
You are not my judge!
gpt
The man accused had no motives for murdering Jack Fothergill--you had.
human
Motives do not convict in France, even if they do in England.
gpt
But evidence of the crime does.
human
Evidence--I--I--
gpt
It is useless to deny your guilt, M'sieur de Largentiere. The proof you have in your hand, in combination with the alibi that the man suspected will be able to prove, is quite sufficient to secure your conviction. The punishment for murder is death in my country, as in yours.
human
I--I deny it, he said, with a strange, wild look of mingled fear and indignation.
gpt
Your so-called proof is mere waste paper. It would not be accepted in evidence.
human
I hold a different opinion. Remember the letter was posted and the envelope bears the post-mark. It was written by Fothergill himself, and bears his signature.
gpt
Let me see it.
human
No. It may be shown to you when you are before the judge, not until then.
gpt
The accusation is false and infamous!
human
Very well. If you have a perfect answer, you have nothing to fear.
gpt
Nothing--no, nothing!
human
Mariette Lestrade also died mysteriously, I said, raising my hand towards him.
gpt
Fothergill knew your terrible secret--the secret that she did not succumb to natural causes. You committed the second crime in London _in order to hide the first in Paris_!
human
I--I--
gpt
I am well aware of the facts, I assure you, I exclaimed.
human
First, however, let me tell you that I hesitate to place the London police in possession of them on account of the terrible shame and degradation your exposure will cause your wife and children. You who hold the highest office in this colony, who are respected and considered just, upright, and above suspicion, would be convicted of two brutal crimes. What would those who shake your hand at your reception to-night say if they knew their amiable Governor was an assassin?
gpt
Stop! he cried hoarsely.
human
It is not for me to heap reproach upon you. You jeered at the suggestion that I could bribe you to allow Zoraida to escape. Do you now refuse the _douceur_?
gpt
If she escaped mysteriously--what would my _douceur_ be?
human
My silence.
gpt
Absolutely?
human
Absolutely.
gpt
And you would give me the original letter written by Fothergill?
human
No. Though I am prepared to take an oath of silence for the sake of your wife and her children, I make one stipulation, namely, that I shall keep that letter.
gpt
Then you will always retain that in order to blackmail me?
human
I shall never blackmail you. Cannot you see that I am driven to this course by sheer desperation? Once Zoraida is safe, you will have nothing whatever to fear from me.
gpt
If--if I could only bury the past completely! he moaned, gazing wildly around the room.
human
If only I--I could feel safe!
gpt
Two courses are open. You must choose between them.
human
To-morrow.
gpt
No. To-night. I must have your answer now, immediately. If you refuse, I leave by to-morrow's steamer for England.