human
What's your game?
gpt
My game? he said.
human
What do you mean?
gpt
Can the coy stuff, urged his lordship brusquely.
human
Talk sense and talk it quick. We may be interrupted at any moment. What's your game? What are you here for?
gpt
I am a prodigal nephew returned to the fold.
human
Oh, quit your kidding. Are you one of Potter's lot?
gpt
Who is Potter?
human
You know who Potter is.
gpt
On the contrary. My life has never been brightened by so much as a sight of Potter.
human
Is that true?
gpt
Absolutely.
human
Are you working on your own, then?
gpt
I am not working at all at present. There is some talk of my learning to be an Asparagus Adjuster by mail later on.
human
You make me sick, said Lord Wisbeach.
gpt
Where's the sense of trying to pull this line of talk. Why not put your cards on the table? We've both got in here on the same lay, and there's no use fighting and balling the thing up.
human
Do you wish me to understand, said Jimmy,
gpt
No. And you're not my old friend, Jimmy Crocker.
human
What makes you think that?
gpt
If you had been, would you have pretended to recognise me upstairs just now? I tell you, pal, I was all in for a second, till you gave me the high sign.
human
It would have been awkward for you if I really had been Jimmy Crocker, wouldn't it?
gpt
And it would have been awkward for you if I had really been Lord Wisbeach.
human
Who are you, by the way?
gpt
The boys call me Gentleman Jack.
human
Why?
gpt
I'm working with Burke's lot just now. Say, let's be sensible about this. I'll be straight with you, straight as a string.
human
Did you say string or spring?
gpt
And I'll expect you to be straight with me.
human
Are we to breathe confidences into each other's ears?
gpt
You seem nervous,
human
I don't like that butler. He's up to something.
gpt
Do you think he's one of Potter's lot?
human
Shouldn't wonder. He isn't on the level, anyway, or why did he pretend to recognise you as Jimmy Crocker?
gpt
Recognition of me as Jimmy Crocker seems to be the acid test of honesty.
human
He was in a tight place, same as I was, said Lord Wisbeach.
gpt
He couldn't know that you weren't really Jimmy Crocker until you put him wise--same as you did me--by pretending to know him. He looked at Jimmy with grudging admiration.
human
You'd got your nerve with you, pal, coming in here like this. You were taking big chances. You couldn't have known you wouldn't run up against some one who really knew Jimmy Crocker. What would you have done if this butler guy had really been on the level?
gpt
The risks of the profession!
human
When I think of the work I had to put in, said Lord Wisbeach,
gpt
What made you choose Lord Wisbeach as your alias?
human
I knew that I could get away with it. I came over on the boat with him, and I knew he was travelling round the world and wasn't going to stay more than a day in New York. Even then I had to go some to get into this place. Burke told me to get hold of old Chester and get a letter of introduction from him. And here you come along and just stroll in and tell them you have come to stay! He brooded for a moment on the injustice of things.
gpt
Well, what are you going to do about it, Pal?
human
About what?
gpt
About us both being here? Are you going to be sensible and work in with me and divvy up later on, or are you going to risk spoiling everything by trying to hog the whole thing? I'll be square with you. It isn't as if there was any use in trying to bluff each other. We're both here for the same thing. You want to get hold of that powder stuff, that Partridgite, and so do I.
human
You believe in Partridgite, then?
gpt
Oh, can it, said Lord Wisbeach disgustedly.
human
What's the use? Of course I believe in it. Burke's had his eye on the thing for a year. You've heard of Dwight Partridge, haven't you? Well, this guy's his son. Every one knows that Dwight Partridge was working on an explosive when he died, and here's his son comes along with a test-tube full of stuff which he says could blow this city to bits. What's the answer? The boy's been working on the old man's dope. From what I've seen of him, I guess there wasn't much more to be done on it, or he wouldn't have done it. He's pretty well dead from the neck up, as far as I can see. But that doesn't alter the fact that he's got the stuff and that you and I have got to get together and make a deal. If we don't, I'm not saying you mightn't gum my game, just as I might gum yours; but where's the sense in that? It only means taking extra chances. Whereas if we sit in together, there's enough in it for both of us. You know as well as I do that there's a dozen markets which'll bid against each other for stuff like that Partridgite. If you're worrying about Burke giving you a square deal, forget it. I'll fix Burke. He'll treat you nice, all right.
gpt
I'm no orator, as Brutus is; but, as you know me all, a plain, blunt man. And, speaking in the capacity of a plain, blunt man, I rise to reply--Nothing doing.
human
What? You won't come in?
gpt
I'm sorry to disappoint you, Wizzy, if I may still call you that, but your offer fails to attract. I will not get together or sit in or anything else. On the contrary, I am about to go to Mrs. Pett and inform her that there is a snake in her Eden.
human
You're not going to squeal on me?
gpt
At the top of my voice.
human
Yes, you will, he said.
gpt
How are you going to explain why you recognised me as an old pal before lunch if I'm a crook after lunch. You can't give me away without giving yourself away. If I'm not Lord Wisbeach, then you're not Jimmy Crocker.
human
I get you. Life is very complex, isn't it?
gpt
You'd better think it over, son, he said.
human
You aren't going to get anywhere by acting like a fool. You can't stop me going after this stuff, and if you won't come in and go fifty-fifty, you'll find yourself left. I'll beat you to it.