human
Good evening--or rather good morning, inspector! said Mr. Markheim, rising to greet him.
gpt
Sorry to have brought you out, but it's not a common burglary at all.
human
It's usual to report such things, replied the inspector.
gpt
We came as quickly as possible. Nobody hurt, was there?
human
No, said Markheim.
gpt
But a picture has been stolen.
human
Wait! he said.
gpt
Did you ever hear of the Madonna of the Lamp, inspector?
human
Can't say that I did, the police official admitted.
gpt
And I'm a pretty good Catholic myself.
human
Well--it's a painting, Markheim explained, concealing his impatience as best he could, which in point of fact is not saying a great deal for his power of self-control.
gpt
It is not only a painting but a very famous one.
human
Kind of an antique, eh?
gpt
Not only an antique but one of the most famous and valuable paintings in the world. I paid five hundred thousand dollars for it.
human
And it's been stolen?
gpt
What else under God's heaven did you think I sent for you about? Markheim exploded.
human
You don't seem to understand this at all!
gpt
Italian, eh? said the man in plain clothing.
human
International complications are very possible if the thing gets too much publicity. That's about the idea, isn't it?
gpt
You seem to know a lot about the Italian Government's theories of ownership!
human
So it was brought into the country illegally! commented the detective.
gpt
Captain, he went on, addressing the now frankly bewildered officer,
human
You explain it very well, very well, replied Markheim, nervous and excited--and truth to tell not a little affected by the cocktails he had imbibed. It was most precarious, taking so many upon an empty stomach, as he should have known.
gpt
You have a very clear idea, young man--though allow me to make it plain that I was in no way involved in the original affair of bringing this canvas into the United States. I had nothing whatsoever to do with it--nothing.
human
You merely paid five hundred thousand for it after it got here, remarked Peaches.
gpt
I see.
human
Have you any suspicion as to who the thief might have been, Mr. Markheim?
gpt
Not a very clear suspicion,
human
Then there is some one?
gpt
We had some trouble last night, replied Mr. Markheim.
human
Miss Talbot here thought she saw two men in the garden, and came downstairs.
gpt
Ah! remarked the inspector, scribbling.
human
Did you get a good look at them, Miss Talbot?
gpt
Just a glimpse,
human
And where were you when you saw them?