human
Anything that's going--with _you_ in it--will find me on the spot, too. I'm a bit of a slow-mover, I know--but you're such a lightning-bug of a creature that there's not a soul on earth can keep pace with you. Have you looked into that laundry-bill question you were dickering about a while ago?
gpt
I have. But there's nothing doing there, as yet. The particular maid I questioned has got a bilious attack this afternoon and can't go over the lists for me. But I'm to hear to-morrow morning for certain.... It _is_ rather a teaser for you, isn't it, old chap? But you must bear with me until I've unravelled the ends myself, and when that's done, I'll put 'em into your hands, and you can wind 'em up for me into a tidy little ball. Let's get a move on now, there's a good fellow. By the way, who's the guilty party _now_, eh?
human
It's a dickens of a tangle, looking at it any way, he returned dejectedly.
gpt
I could have sworn that chap Ross Duggan had murdered his father for the simple motive of keeping his name in the will and of course the name _wasn't_ erased, after all, was it? That's a black point against him. But this flustery-blustery-Captain-chap with his lord-high-almighty ways rather took the wind out of my sails. And when you said you had encountered him last night, Cleek, you could have knocked me down with a feather. How did it happen?
human
Oh--caught him running as hard as he could from the direction of the lawns beyond this window, and fell plump into him as the best way to attract his attention, returned Cleek serenely.
gpt
I thought it strange that he should be there at such a time. And he looked half-scared out of his wits, too. Expected me to tell the household, I suppose. Rather officious young chap, I must say--but I've a sneaking liking for him, all the same. D'you think he did the shooting, then?
human
Not a doubt of it!
gpt
Oh! And why, do you suppose?
human
Um--ah! Well, that's got to be discovered yet. Never know, Cleek; there might be some hidden business in this affair in which this Captain is involved. Anyhow, I doubt him--tremendously. Didn't ring true, I thought. Rather too noisy and all that.
gpt
And you believe in the adage that 'empty vessels make the most sound,' I take it? rejoined Cleek with a smile.
human
Well, perhaps you're right. Only I wouldn't call that young gentleman an empty vessel.... Anyhow, this evening will elucidate matters a little. For I'm going to remove that muffling for the nonce, and substitute another one. And it ought to prove quite an enlightening job, too!
gpt
Hush!