human
My God! Not Ross! she broke out uncertainly, shutting her hands together across her breast in her agitation.
gpt
Then--who are you?
human
Who knows? he responded with a touch of gallantry.
gpt
It was your mistake in the first place, remember, not mine. A friend in need, perhaps, who has been able to save you from the consequences of a very foolish action. You know what those men were doing?
human
Then you will learn to-morrow from the lips of a man whom you have learned to distrust, because he has proved more than a match for you already. That is so, isn't it? Your Mr. Deland up at the Castle. From what I heard, you have broken parole, and to do that----
gpt
You won't tell?--oh, surely you won't tell! she gave out in a low, wrung voice.
human
How you could mimic Ross Duggan as you did is beyond me. But you stole my confidence, and I demand its return: that you tell nothing of to-night to a living soul. Will you promise me that?
gpt
Very well, then. That is a bargain. But I don't think you realize just how near to actual danger you ran to-night in your mad pursuit of Ross Duggan. What made you think I was he?
human
I don't know. Only I had followed him from the Castle down the lane, and then lost sight of him at the edge of the little burn which skirts that particular valley. And then I saw--you. And somehow, to my untrained eyes in the darkness, you looked like him--perhaps I was so anxious to find him that I willed myself unconsciously to think that you were he--but be that as it may, I made the profound mistake, and--now the mischief is done with a vengeance. What shall I do now? What _shall_ I do?
gpt
Return to Aygon Castle, my dear young lady, by the route by which you left it, and leave things in Higher Hands than yours, Cleek returned gravely, as they whizzed past in the darkness, the motor thrumming a purring accompaniment to his low-pitched voice.
human
Never urge a criminal to flee from justice, for as surely as he remains alive justice will find him--and make him pay the penalty all the more severely for his pains! Justice must be done in a civilized country, my dear young lady; that is what we pay our taxes for--to uphold those same judges who will mete out justice in a proper, unprejudiced fashion.
gpt
But Ross--you think he is guilty?
human
Who knows? Time alone will tell. And his innocence will be better proved if he is not urged to fly away from the outcome of his actions. I must ask you, too, a favour. Rather, I must exact a promise. Please leave Ross Duggan alone until after to-morrow.
gpt
And then?
human
If I know aught of anything, he will be beyond the power of your assistance--and perhaps not in need of it, he replied quietly.
gpt
Here is the Castle. Slip in, now, through that wicket-gate that the tradesmen use, I believe, and get back to the house as quickly as you can. I'll give your orders to the chauffeur.
human
And you won't tell me who you are? Something--somehow--seems familiar about you, but I cannot place it. You won't help me?
gpt
Better let this night's doings be buried in the Limbo of Forgotten Things, dear lady, he said, his hand resting for a moment upon her shoulder.
human
And if you know not who the sharer of your--er--adventure may be, surely it is better that way. Good-night and good-bye. You will keep your promise?
gpt
Of course. Thank you for what you have done.
human
That is nothing. Good-night.
gpt
Good-night.