human
Quite, sir. He was enquiring about Mr. Palliser.
gpt
I am afraid he will find it a little difficult to obtain any information round here, he remarked.
human
There are certain things connected with that young man which may throw a new light upon his disappearance.
gpt
Indeed, sir?
human
Robert, he confided,
gpt
I have been robbed.
human
Indeed, sir? he replied.
gpt
Nothing very valuable, I hope?
human
I have been robbed of papers, Tallente said quietly,
gpt
Never, sir.
human
When did Mr. Palliser arrive here?
gpt
On the evening train of the Monday, sir, that you arrived by on the Tuesday.
human
Tell me, did he receive any visitors at all on the Tuesday?
gpt
There was a man came over from a house near Lynton, sir, said his name was Miller.
human
Have you any idea what he wanted?
gpt
No certain idea, sir, Robert replied doubtfully.
human
Now I come to think of it, though, it seemed as though he had come to make Mr. Palliser some sort of an offer. After I had let him out, he came back and said something to Mr. Palliser about three thousand pounds, and Mr. Palliser said he would let him know. I got the idea, somehow or other, that the transaction, whatever it might have been, was to be concluded on Tuesday night.
gpt
Why didn't you tell me this before, Robert?
human
Other things drove it out of my mind, sir, the man confessed.
gpt
I didn't look upon it as of much consequence. I thought it was something to do with Mr. Palliser's private affairs.
human
I saw this man Miller at the station, he said,
gpt
That would be on his way back from here, sir, Robert acquiesced.
human
I gathered that he was coming back again after dinner in a car.
gpt
Did you hear a car at all that night?
human
I rather fancied I did, the man asserted.
gpt
I didn't take particular notice, though.
human
I am very much afraid, Robert, he said,
gpt
Very good, sir,
human
Any speculations as to that young man's whereabouts, Tallente continued thoughtfully,
gpt
The walk is very unsafe in the dark, sir,
human
It was not my intention, Tallente remarked thoughtfully,
gpt
I know, sir, the man interrupted, with a little moan.
human
Please don't!
gpt
I took him at no disadvantage, he said coolly.
human
He knew how to use the gloves and he was twenty years younger than I. However, there it is. Backwards he went, all legs and arms and shrieks. And with him went the papers he had stolen.--At twelve o'clock to-night, Robert, I must go down after him.
gpt
It's impossible, sir! It's a sheer precipice for four hundred feet!
human
Nothing of the sort, was the cool reply.
gpt
There are heaps of ledges and little clumps of pines and yews. All that you will have to do is to pull up the rope when I am ready. You can fasten it to a tree when I go down.
human
It's not worth it, sir, the man protested anxiously.
gpt
No one will ever find the body down there.
human
Send the boy home to stay with his parents to-night, Tallente continued.
gpt
Your wife, I suppose, can be trusted?
human
She is living up at the garage, sir, Robert answered.
gpt
Besides, she is deaf. I'll tell her that I am sleeping in the house to-night as you are not very well. And forgive me, sir--her ladyship left a message. She hoped you would lunch with her to-morrow.