human
Open, Jack; hurry!
gpt
What's the trouble, Dan?
human
Dead!
gpt
Who? Hillard's heart contracted.
human
In God's name, who?
gpt
The prince. They found him and his horse at the bottom of the gorge. There was a broken place in the road, and over this they had gone. The concierge says that there has been foul play. Tracks in the dust, a strange cut in the neck of the horse, and a scabbard minus its saber. Now, what the devil shall I do with the blamed sword?
human
What shall I do with it?
gpt
The sword? You really brought it?
human
Yes. And if they find us with it--
gpt
Put it in the bottom of the trunk and leave it there till you land in New York. But the prince dead? You are sure?
human
All Florence is ringing with the story of the ball, the wind-up, and the tragedy. He's dead, no doubt of it. Shall we go up to the villa this morning?
gpt
No, Dan;
human
That's very foolish.
gpt
Why? I couldn't have closed my eyes,
human
But won't she need you up there?
gpt
If she needs me she'll send for me. But I am not needed, and she will not send for me. I shall remain here and wait.
human
He's dead. Things work out queerly, don't they?
gpt
She is free. Thank God!
human
You are not sorry, are you?
gpt
Sorry? In a way, yes. He was a blackleg, but it isn't pleasant to contemplate the manner of his end.
human
Well, I can frankly say that there's no such sentiment on my side. He'd have cut you down if I hadn't stopped him,
gpt
It was measure for measure: I should have killed him had not you and O'Mally interfered.
human
That's true. But what's back of all this muddle? Why was she masquerading as an opera singer, when fortune and place were under her hand?
gpt
She has promised to write.
human
By George!
gpt
What now?
human
Didn't Giovanni tell us that he had friends in Fiesole, and that he was going to visit them?
gpt
Giovanni? I had forgotten. But what had my old valet against the prince?
human
Giovanni had a daughter, said Merrihew.
gpt
His knife left a scar on the man. The prince carried a long scar on his cheek. Two and two make four.
human
But Giovanni had promised us.
gpt
If this man did not cross his path. It looks as if he did.