human
I am surprised to see you here.
gpt
Is that so, madam?
human
Yes.
gpt
Why should you be when you expressed a desire to see me?
human
When did I express such a desire?
gpt
The desire was implied in your advertisement.
human
But I did not put my address in the advertisement. How did you establish my identity?
gpt
It was a very simple matter, madam.
human
I do not understand it.
gpt
I will explain.
human
Please do.
gpt
We detectives are compelled to be very careful in all our movements. We have enemies who are constantly seeking to trap us.
human
What has all that to do with the fact that you knew my address?
gpt
I read your advertisement.
human
Yes.
gpt
I did not know whether it was genuine or a decoy sent out by the thieves who robbed you.
human
But even that does not explain how you obtained my address.
gpt
By a very simple plan, madam.
human
Tell me your plan.
gpt
I mailed the letter to you.
human
Yes.
gpt
I knew you would send a messenger for it.
human
Certainly.
gpt
I lay around the post office for your messenger. When she came I followed her here.
human
Oh, I see; well, how stupid I am. It is evident I am not a female detective. I never should have thought of that expedient.
gpt
It is a very simple one. If it had been a trap the parties sending the letter would have taken precautions not to be trapped that way.
human
I see, yes, I see; well, you are not a dunce after all.
gpt
Thank you. You wished to see me?
human
Yes.
gpt
Madam, what is your name, please?
human
My name is Mrs. Frewen.
gpt
Who is the young lady who called for the answer to the advertisement?
human
My niece.
gpt
And her name?
human
Alice Frewen. She is my brother's daughter. She is an orphan.
gpt
You wished to see me on business?
human
Yes.
gpt
Why did you send for me?
human
I will tell you. I read in the papers that you were a detective. I saw your bold act in catching the thief who had robbed me, and a little incident occurred that suggested to me that I had better consult with a detective. I had beheld your gallant action and my niece suggested the plan of the advertisement for your employment.
gpt
Very well, madam; on what business do you desire to consult me about?
human
Who sent this, madam?
gpt
You see the signature.
human
A friend.
gpt
That is all I know.
human
Can you form the least idea as to who this friend, or rather this so-called friend is? Have you the least suspicion as to his identity?
gpt
I have not.
human
Has your niece?
gpt
No.
human
This letter would suggest that there is a scheme on foot to rob you.
gpt
That is the suggestion that came to me when I first read the note.
human
Have you any articles of special value in the house?
gpt
You are a detective.
human
I am.
gpt
I believe your identity and respectability are sufficiently well established for me to answer you frankly.
human
Madam, you can reserve your answer if you choose until you thoroughly establish my identity and respectability.
gpt
It is not necessary. I am satisfied. Yes, I have articles of special value in this house.
human
Who would be likely to know the fact?
gpt
No one beyond my niece.
human
You cannot think of any one who would be apt to know that you had articles of special value in the house?
gpt
No.
human
Is there any one whom you suspect of wishing to scare you?
gpt
No, the fact is we have no acquaintances in New York. We have lived abroad many years and only returned to New York about six months ago. This house came to me by inheritance. It was leased for ten years to a family whom I never knew. My agent leased it. It stood idle for six months, until I came and reopened it upon my return home about six months ago.
human
When you were abroad where did you reside principally?
gpt
In Paris; my niece attended school in France.
human
I suppose you had a great many friends in Paris?
gpt
No, very few; I am not of a social turn at all. I do not seek friends. I live a very secluded life for reasons which it is not necessary to explain.
human
Then there are none of your Paris friends whom you would suspect as the author of that warning note?
gpt
No.
human
We can form no suspicion from the note itself.
gpt
No.
human
Madam, have you an album?
gpt
Yes.
human
Will you let me look at it?
gpt
For what purpose?
human
I wish to look at the pictures of some of the people you knew in Paris.
gpt
The album belongs to my niece. It is merely a collection of prominent French characters--public men, statesmen, army officers, musicians, painters and actors--the photographs do not represent friends of ours.
human
Still you have no objection to my seeing it?
gpt
No, sir.
human
Please let me see it, and if you have no objection let your niece be present. She may recall facts that have possibly slipped from your memory.
gpt
You are a very strange young man.
human
Yes, I am a very strange young man and I go about my business in a strange manner. Madam, you did the right thing when you sent for me. You and your niece are two lone ladies living in this house. It is evident some one has discovered that you have valuables in your house. A scheme of robbery, it would appear from the warning note, is contemplated. Some one friendly to you has learned of the intended robbery and has warned you. This warning may not only save your property but your life, and it is necessary that we should make every effort to learn who sent the warning note. I desire to see the photographs.