human
My dear Coquenil, exclaimed Hauteville, with cordial hand extended.
gpt
I'm glad to see you but--you must prepare for bad news.
human
I see, they have taken me off this case.
gpt
Worse than that, they have taken you off the force. Your commission is canceled.
human
But--but why?
gpt
For influencing Dedet to break a rule about a prisoner _au secret_; as a matter of fact, you were foolish to write that letter.
human
I thought the girl might get important evidence from her lover.
gpt
No doubt, but you ought to have asked me for an order. I would have given it to you, and then there would have been no trouble.
human
It was late and the matter was urgent. After all you approve of what I did?
gpt
Yes, but not of the way you did it. Technically you were at fault, and--I'm afraid you will have to suffer.
human
Did you make the complaint against me?
gpt
No, no! Between ourselves, I should have passed the thing over as unimportant, but--well, the order came from higher up.
human
You mean the chief revoked my commission?
gpt
I don't know, I haven't seen the chief, but the order came from his office.
human
With this prison affair given as the reason?
gpt
Yes.
human
And now Gibelin is in charge of the case?
gpt
Yes.
human
And I am discharged from the force? Discharged in disgrace?
gpt
It's a great pity, but----
human
Do you think I'll stand for it? Do you know me so little as that?
gpt
I don't see what you're going to do,
human
You don't? Then I'll tell you that-- Coquenil checked himself at a sudden thought.
gpt
After all, what I do is not important, but I'll tell you what Gibelin will do, and that _is_ important, _he will let this American go to trial and be found guilty for want of evidence that would save him_.
human
Not if I can help it,
gpt
No offense, said M. Paul,
human
Officially I have no opinion, answered Hauteville guardedly,
gpt
Thanks, said M. Paul.
human
I think I'll have a word with the chief.