human
So he is alive? he said simply.
gpt
And, of course, you have to go to him, old girl. There is something wrong with this crook idea. That man is not a crook.
human
Thanks, Dicky! said Peaches, her eyes filling as she covered his hand with hers for an instant.
gpt
I know there isn't any reason to believe in him--but I do, just the same.
human
But there is a reason, said Dick unexpectedly.
gpt
Look here, Peaches, I suppose I ought to have told you this when I first came back. But I didn't first off, because I found you engaged to another man and apparently happy. I didn't want to go raking over old wounds. So I didn't even speak of him except to say that I'd heard he was killed in a gallant action--and I never even said that much until you mentioned it first--do you remember?
human
Yes, she nodded.
gpt
Go on, Dicky!
human
But I'd seen him while I was over there, he said.
gpt
I--well, it was rather by accident but I happened to save his life. Oh, not the last time! Up to to-night I thought he was dead, the same as you did. But before that. It was the time I got the Italian medal----
human
So that was why you wouldn't talk about it!
gpt
He asked a lot about you, Dicky went on.
human
And I told him all I could. About the ranch, and what you and Miss Freedom were doing. He was just crazy to hear. But he didn't want me to tell you about him. 'I'm not fit for her, Dick,' he says to me. We was both getting over scalp wounds then and used to sit out in front of the hut and talk a lot. 'I got out of her life for her own good,' he says. 'And if it ever comes natural tell her I didn't intend to kill the chap at the railway station--it was in self-defense.' That's what he told me. And then he tried to give me a ring he had, because of me having the luck to save him, see? But I wouldn't take it. So he give me his address in case I ever needed anything.
gpt
His address? said Peaches chokingly.
human
Why, Monteventi is his address, surely?
gpt
Yeh--but he give me another one besides, said Dick.
human
Though, of course, I heard after that he had gone West, and so I kind of forgot about it.
gpt
If he had another address it must have been where he could be reached in an emergency! cried Peaches.
human
Can't you remember it, Dicky? Oh, think! Please try to remember it!
gpt
I guess maybe I got it on me, said he with a curious shyness.
human
I--wrote it on the back of your picture. I--I carried it along through the war. I might have it now, at that.