human
Very pretty, Mr. Cicero Gramp, he observed dryly.
gpt
Are you in training for a ballet-dancer?
human
I'll be even with him! he gasped, wiping his streaming forehead.
gpt
Oh, the wretch! oh, the Judas! Gentlemen, proceed, and leave an unhappy man to fight down a whirl of conflicting emotions. _E pluribus unum!_ quoted Cicero, in a pathetic voice;
human
And, like Orestes, you seem to be mad,
gpt
And no wonder, Mr. Thorold. I have lost thousands. Lestrange----
human
Ah, said Blair, who had been taking in the situation,
gpt
Lestrange! You have found a cleverer villain than yourself.
human
He has gone away! roared Cicero, with the voice of an angry bull.
gpt
Yes, you may look. He went this morning, bag and baggage. I don't know where he is, save that he roams the wilderness of London. And my money--he paid his bill to mine hostess of the hostel with my money!
human
The deuce he did! said Alan.
gpt
And how did you come to lend him money?
human
I do not mind explaining, said Mr. Gramp, with a defiant glance at the gentleman who represented the police.
gpt
I went into partnership with Lestrange. He had no money; I lent him a goodly part of your fifty pounds, Mr. Thorold, on an undertaking that I should get half of what he received from Miss Marlow.
human
A very creditable bargain, remarked Alan grimly;
gpt
So should I, put in Blair significantly,
human
I am a professor of eloquence and elocution! cried Cicero, his fat cheeks turning pale at this stern hint.
gpt
You dare not arrest me; and you, Mr. Thorold, will be sorry if you do not employ me.
human
Employ you? In which way?
gpt
To hunt Lestrange down.
human
I do not wish to see the man again.
gpt
But I know something about him. Promise to pay me some money, and I'll show you a letter written to Captain Lestrange, which came to the inn after he left. I took it and opened it to find out his plans.
human
Well, you are a scoundrel! said Alan, looking Mr. Gramp's portly figure up and down.
gpt
By opening another person's letter you have placed yourself within reach of the law.
human
I don't care! cried Cicero recklessly.
gpt
I am desperate. Will you pay me for a sight of that letter?
human
Yes, said the inspector before Alan could reply,
gpt
How much, Mr. Thorold?
human
If it proves to be of use, replied the young Squire leisurely,
gpt
I'll pay you well. Leave the amount to me.
human
(underlined), he would come down to Heathton and
gpt
(also underlined) to Miss Marlow. These few lines were signed,
human
O. Barkham.
gpt
Barkham! exclaimed Alan.
human
That must be the man who warned Beauchamp that Lestrange was coming. I wonder what he knows.
gpt
Humph! grunted Blair, putting the letter into his pocket,
human
Two thousand pounds! wailed Cicero, with his eyes staring out of his head.
gpt
Oh, Clara Maria! Has she got that out of you! My own sister--my very own! wept the old scamp,
human
I don't think you'll get a sixpence out of her, said Alan;
gpt
When am I to get it?
human
When I choose, Alan replied tartly.
gpt
Go back to the Good Samaritan, and don't let me catch you annoying your sister, or I'll make it hot for you!