human
What rivals they are! he was thinking.
gpt
The one starts at the mere name of the other! The fact is, Dick, he said aloud,
human
Miles has dealt with me rather queerly in some money matters, and--What on earth's the matter?
gpt
I will tell you in a moment, sir. Pray go on, Colonel Bristo.
human
Well, the fact is I want you to tell me if you know anything--of your own knowledge, mind--of this station of Miles's in Queensland.
gpt
Excuse me: I can only answer by another question. Has he been raising money on his station?
human
Do you mean by borrowing from me?
gpt
Yes, that is what I do mean.
human
Well, then, he has. At Teddington--I don't mind telling you, between ourselves--I lent him a hundred pounds when a remittance he expected by the mail did not come. After that I found out that he had an agent in town all the while, and it then struck me as rather odd that he should have borrowed of me, though even then I did not think much of it. You see, the man did me the greatest service one man can render another, and I was only too glad of the opportunity to do him a good turn of any sort. I can assure you, Dick, at the time I would have made it a thousand--on the spot--had he asked it. Besides, I have always liked Miles, though a little less, I must confess, since he came up here. But last night, as we were strolling about together outside, he suddenly asked me for another hundred; and the story with which he supported his request was rambling, if not absurd. He said that his partner evidently believed him to be on his way out again, and therefore still omitted to send him a remittance; that he was thus once more 'stuck up' for cash; that he had quarrelled with his agent (whom I suggested as the most satisfactory person to apply to), and withdrawn the agency. Well, I have written out the cheque, and given it him this morning. His gratitude was profuse, and seemed genuine. All I want you to tell me is this: Do you know anything yourself of his station, his partner, or his agent?
gpt
The man has no station, no agent, no partner!
human
What? cried out the Colonel.
gpt
What are you saying? You must not make statements of this sort unless you are sure beyond the shadow of a doubt. I asked what you knew, not what you suspected.
human
And I am telling you only what I know.
gpt
That Miles is a common swindler?
human
That his name is not Miles, to begin with.
gpt
Then do you mean to say, the Colonel almost shouted,
human
I never suspected what you have told me now, said Dick warmly.
gpt
But it is true that I have known for some weeks who and what this man is. I found him out at Graysbrooke, and got rid of him for you within a few hours. I was at fault not to give him in charge. You have good cause to blame me--and I sha'n't want for blame by and by!--but if you will listen to me, I will tell you all--yes, all; for I have protected a worse scoundrel than I thought: I owe him not another moment's silence.
human
Come in here, then, said Colonel Bristo, sternly;