book_id
stringlengths 2
6
| title
stringclasses 1
value | author
stringclasses 1
value | conversations
listlengths 1
5.07k
|
---|---|---|---|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By the living jingo! ejaculated Green."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It's the sheath of the dagger!"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I believe you're right, he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now, what about the letter?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What can I do for you, Lady Eileen?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You can tell me what has happened to Mr. Grell."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My dear young lady! I only wish we knew."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Please don't treat me as if I were a child, Mr. Foyle. Something has happened since yesterday morning. I demand to know what it is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Since you demand it, he said suavely, laying a scarcely perceptible stress on the word demand,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I will tell you. As the result of certain information, observation has been kept on Lady Eileen Meredith. She was followed yesterday to the advertisement offices of the _Daily Wire_, where she made inquiries respecting a certain cipher advertisement which was to appear in that paper. Failing to obtain what she wanted, she left a note warning some one in the following terms: 'The police know the cipher. Be very cautious. R. F. is acting with them.'"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I know you have set your spies about me, she said scornfully."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I did not come here to ask you that. What----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "One moment. Let me finish. This morning Lady Eileen rose at an unfashionable hour--about four, to be exact--and went out to obtain a copy of the _Daily Wire_. Having deciphered the advertisement, and finding that it afforded no direct clue to Grell's whereabouts, she returned home and there came across a paragraph--which I will confess was inspired in this office--that set her wondering whether, after all, her lover was safe. She went out again--this time to Waterloo Bridge police station--and there made some inquiries----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don't want to know how effective your spying on a harmless woman can be."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am glad you admit it is effective, he answered quickly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wanted to bring that home to you. You cannot or will not understand in how perilous a situation you may find yourself if you go on playing with fire. There is no one else who has fuller sympathy with you or greater understanding of your feelings than I. Therefore I warn you. Do you know that merely on what you have done and are doing I should, were I certain that Grell was guilty, be justified in having you arrested as an accessory after the fact? His voice became very grave."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "If your conduct has not hampered this investigation, Lady Eileen, it has not been for want of effort. Take the warning of a man who wishes you well. For neither your position nor your friends will save you if ever you stand in my way. I shall do my duty, whatever the consequences."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You have not found him, then? she cried."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Can it be doing you any harm to say what has happened?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We have not found Grell--yet, he answered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We found where he had been hiding, but he got away."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There, there; that will do. Let us know if everything does all right. Won't keep you a moment, sir,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Women are the very devil, he said as if in answer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There's no knowing what they'll do. Now, the young girl there wanted to run away with a man of fifty, who is already a married man. So her mother--the old lady you saw kissing me--brought her up here, evidently under the impression that we can do anything. I took the girl into my room and gave her some good advice, telling her she had much better marry the young man you saw--they had been engaged, and quarrelled--and I told of some cases like her own that had come under my own knowledge. She wept a bit, admitted I was right, and then suddenly flung herself on top of me and started hugging and kissing me. I got her outside, told her mother that the matter was all right, when I'm blessed if she didn't try it on too. That was just as you came out. You may have noticed that I side-stepped warily round the young man."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Be careful, Green. Is she a widow? laughed Foyle. And then, more seriously:"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How far is it to this place? Our man may be out when we get there."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Shall we leave it till to-night, sir? It will be more certain then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, we'll chance it. Let's have a look at the letter."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Flowery Land."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "DEAR MR. FLOYD,--I have tried to carry out your instructions, but luck has been against me, as I have to be very careful. It has been easy enough to buy the seamen's discharges that you require, but I have been unable to see Lola since she took the advertisement to-day, so do not know if she has managed to raise money. I believe I am fairly safe here, and my friends are to be relied upon, though they are much occupied with the gambling and the smoke, so there is not much quietness. If you write, address me as Mackirty, 146 Smike Street, Shadwell."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hotel for Men Only."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It's a corner house on this side, said the local man,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "How long have you known this? Couldn't you have dropped on 'em before?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They're cunning. The show had been running three months before we got wind of it. That was about a month ago, and we've tried every trick in the bag to get one of our men inside. There's no chance of rushing the place on a warrant either, because both front and back doors are double, and only one man is allowed to go in at a time. They won't open to two or more. Before we could get the doors down there'd not be a thing left in the place as evidence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That's all very well, Mr. Penny. It won't do to tell me that you've known of this place for a month and that it is still carried on. Why didn't you let a man try single-handed? With the door once open he could force his way in."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I couldn't send a man on a job like that, protested the other."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why, you don't know the place. They'd murder him before we could get at him."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A man of your experience ought to know by now that it's his business to take risks. If you'd made up your mind there was no other way of obtaining evidence you should have sent a man in. Never mind that now. Take your orders from Mr. Green for the day. Green, I'll be back in an hour. I'm going into that place. Act according to your own discretion if you think I'm in difficulties."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I 'ad set on sa nine, ..."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Say, that king was coppered, ..."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I ought ter have split it."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That's enough, you,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Jim,"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hello, old sport, I want t'come in. Open the door, can't you?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Git out of it, you drunken swab. You don't live here,"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tha'ss allri', ol' sport, hiccoughed Foyle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I want to come in. A Bill Reid tol' me if I wanted--hic--game I was to come here. You know ol' Bill Reid --this almost pleadingly--"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "There's nothing doing now, he explained."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You go away and come back to-night. It'll be a good game then."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Tha'ss a lie, said Foyle, with an assumption of drunken gravity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Old Bill Reid he says to me, he says----"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That man--how did he get in here?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He is a police officer. I know him. It is the man Foyle of Scotland Yard."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, I am a police officer, he admitted confidently."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The place is surrounded. It will pay you to behave yourselves--you over there, put that knife away, do you hear?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Let's teach the dog a lesson, hissed a venomous voice--that of Keller."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He's trying to bluff us."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Boot him, boys,"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He daren't shoot,"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We'll see whether I daren't fire, said Foyle grimly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Come on. Who'd like to be the first?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You see, Penny, it could be done, single-handed. That is Ivan over there. Take good care of him, Green. Keller is that man knocked out down there."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hello, Green, said the superintendent cheerfully."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You've got 'em all away, I see. How long have I been lying here?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Matter of half an hour. It's only a case of loss of blood, I think. You must have been bleeding for some time before we broke in on the tea-party. We put some first-aid bandages on."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I'm all right, said Foyle, rising stiffly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What happened? You were a deuce of a time answering my whistle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We tried the wrong door first, and it's my belief that nothing short of dynamite would move it. It's steel-lined, and with all the bolts pushed home we stood no chance. We gave it up after awhile and tried the other. Luckily that was not bolted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know. I left it like that purposely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, we didn't know. By that time we got thirty uniform men down here, and they followed us up. Once we got the door down and found the chap you'd trussed behind it, we had no trouble worth mentioning except with Master Ivan, who fought like a wild cat. We got the cuffs on him at last, but even then it took four men to get him away. Penny is down at the station waiting till you come before charging 'em. What is it to be? Attempt to murder?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, I don't think we can get a conviction on that, answered Foyle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There's plenty up against them--unlawful wounding, assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty, frequenting a gaming-house, and, of course, Ivan could be charged with the Waverley affair if we find it necessary now. I see you've started running over the house."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Only just started. We are waiting for the divisional surgeon to see to you and three men who are sleeping like logs in the opium-joint upstairs. The Chinaman seems to have vanished--at any rate, he can't be found. It's just about time this place was broken up. Keller took no chances with the bank. He picked up the faro-box."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now, in the States this kind of thing would not go. It's a two-card needle-tell swindle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That's done with fifty-four cards to the pack, isn't it? asked Foyle indifferently, handling the box."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I've seen something like it before. The dealer is warned of the approach of duplicate cards by a tiny needle-point jumping out of one side of the box."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That's it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, all that will have to be explained when the case comes on for trial. I'm more interested in Ivan just now. It's something to have him under lock and key. I'll leave you here to handle the remainder of the business and get down to the station. No--I'll not wait for the doctor. I feel perfectly fit now."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "New thing for you to come all the way to the East End to take charge of a gambling raid, isn't it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, it's been an experience, said Foyle lightly, indicating his bandaged head."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I've told you everything I know now, boys. If there's anything else you can use, I'll have it at the Yard presently. So-long."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thank God, Foyle! We had a rumour at the Yard that you had been badly hurt. I see you've been knocked about a bit. What made you take a hand yourself down here? Couldn't you leave a raid to be carried out by the local folk?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn't come down here specially for that reason, smiled the superintendent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I wanted to get hold of Ivan Abramovitch, and everything else was purely incidental."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "They're waiting for you to settle who shall be charged with what, said Thornton."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Be as quick as you can, and I'll wait and give you a lift back in the car. I'll not be happy till I've heard all about this."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We've got eighteen men in all, sir, he answered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It would have been fifty if we'd been able to bring our coup off at night."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Very well. Have 'em all in except Abramovitch and Keller. I will pick out those I want charged with assault, or who I think were mixed up with Keller. The remainder might be let out on bail after you have verified their addresses."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hello! said the superintendent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I must have dozed off. How have you got on?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We found the Chinaman. He'd climbed through a trap-door on to the roof. We went over the house with a tooth-comb, both before and after I'd had a little talk with Keller. It seems that both he and his partner the Chinaman had known the man for some time before they gave him a room. They're old hands at the game and won't talk too much. He went out very occasionally, and mostly at night. We found nothing bearing on the murder, but plenty to show that Keller and his pal were running a pretty hot shop."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "H'm! could you dig anything out of any of the others? There was the door-keeper."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No. Tight as oysters, all except those who don't know anything. Ivan has a fit of the sulks. He's called in Mordix to help him fix up his defence."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mordix isn't too scrupulous. I think we'll hold over the charge of abduction for the time being until we see how things look. Nobody hurt much, I suppose?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Some of them are rather sore, but the doctor thinks they can all appear in court to-morrow."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right. We won't worry any further about it for the moment. I'm feeling that the best thing for me is a good night's rest. You'd better go home and do the same. Good night."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You must see me at once, said the well-remembered writing imperatively."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Urgent, urgent!"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, yes. Show him in. And, Roberts, while I am engaged I don't want to be disturbed by anybody or anything. Don't forget that."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fairfield!"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You fool--you damned fool! Why have you come here? If they catch you, you will be hanged. Do you know that? For all I know the place is watched. They may have seen you come in. Perhaps the place is surrounded now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I'll risk it, said the other coolly, drawing a chair up to the table."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I've got to risk something. But I don't think they saw me come in. I don't think they'll catch me, and if they do I don't think they'll hang me. What do you think of that, Fairfield?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What do you want? he asked, with a hard note in his voice."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Why have you come to me?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That is fairly obvious. I want you to do what, if our situations were reversed, I would do for you. I want money. If you can get me a few hundreds I shall be all right."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I would be willing enough to help a friend--you know that, Grell. But why you should think I would lift a finger to help you evade justice I fail to see. I know enough of the law to know that I should become an accessory to the fact."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You really think I killed that man? The words came quick and sharp, like a pistol shot."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I thought you had known me long enough----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Words, interrupted Fairfield bitterly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All words. You were the last man I should have thought capable of such a thing; but all the facts are against you. Need I go over them? Let me tell you that if ever a jury knows what Scotland Yard knows and you stand in the dock, no earthly power can save you. If that crime is on your conscience it seems to rest lightly enough."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fairfield, old chap, he said earnestly,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That's all very well, Grell, he said more mildly,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thanks. There was a dry bitterness in Grell's tone that did not escape Sir Ralph."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I couldn't have got better advice if I'd gone to Scotland Yard itself. His voice changed to a certain quality of harshness."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Look here, Fairfield. Suppose I do know something about this business; suppose I know who Harry Goldenburg was, and how and why he was killed; suppose I had stayed while inquiries were being made, then I should either have to have betrayed a friend or taken the burden on my own shoulders; suppose I say I was honest that night when I asked you to conceal my absence from the St. Jermyn's Club; that I did nothing which I would not do over again --he banged his fist on the table and his eyes glowed fiercely--"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I tell you I have had no choice in this matter. Even you, who know me as well as any man, do not know what I had been through until that man lay dead. Since then I have suffered hell. The police have been at my heels ever since. I carried little enough money away with me, and I dared not attempt to change a cheque while I was thought to be dead. He drew a gold watch from his pocket."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I dare not even pawn this, for even the pawnbrokers are watched. They stopped all my efforts to raise money in other directions, and have isolated me from my friends. I have fifteen shillings left, and yet since they routed me out of cover the day before yesterday I have not dared get a lodging for fear that I might arouse suspicion. I slept on the Embankment last night."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Drink that, he said. And then, as the other obeyed:"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It is no use fencing with the question, Grell. If you want me to help you you will have to give some explanation. I am not going to dip my hands in this business blindly. Don't think it's a matter of you and I simply. This concerns Eileen."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah yes, Eileen, he said quietly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What about her?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This, Fairfield spoke tensely,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You always were a good friend, Fairfield, he retorted."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perhaps you have a revolver you could lend me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Will you use it if I do?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Don't be a fool, said Grell, making a gesture as though waving the subject aside."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I shall not commit suicide--at any rate, while I've got a fighting chance. Let's get to the point. Will you lend me some money?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not a farthing. And then with more emphasis--"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Not a farthing."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Roberts!"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Acting on information received, I----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Still no news from Liverpool, said the superintendent as he left the court with Green."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I begin to wish I'd sent you down there. That woman has got the knack of vanishing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, agreed his lieutenant, producing a well-worn brier and pressing the tobacco down with a horny thumb."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And yet people think we've got an easy job. Lola knows her business, and I'm open to bet she'll not be found before she wants to be found."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You've got a habit of looking on the worst side of things, he laughed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I've never known us want any one we knew badly but what we got 'em at last. Besides, Blake's down there, and he's a good man. He's got a personal interest in running her down now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "H'm,"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A man's been waiting to see you, sir, he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He refused to give his name, but said he had some important information which he would only give to you personally. He wouldn't hear of seeing any one else."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, of course. They've all got important information, and they all want to see me personally--or else the Commissioner. Well, where is he, Shapton? Show him in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can't. He's gone, sir. He'd been waiting here half an hour or so when he was taken away by Sir Ralph Fairfield."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I see, said the superintendent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What happened?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Why, Sir Ralph asked to see you and was shown into the waiting-room with the other man. They both seemed a bit upset, and the first chap's jaw dropped. 'So you are here,' says Sir Ralph, a bit angrily. 'Yes, sir,' says the other, and he had become sulky. 'This is my man,' says Sir Ralph to me, 'and I would like a word with him alone, if you don't mind.' Of course, I left 'em alone. In a quarter of an hour they came out, and Sir Ralph told me that there had been a little misunderstanding--that neither of them wished to see you after all."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Thank you, Shapton, said the superintendent, resting his chin on his hand."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ask Mr. Green if he can spare a moment, will you?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What I want you to do, Green, is to ring up Fairfield and get him out of the way on some pretext. Keep him here till I come back. I'm going to have a talk with that servant. If you can't get him on the 'phone, you'll have to go round and get him out somehow. I want a good man whom he doesn't know to come to the Albany with me. Give me a chance to get there before you ring up."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Very good, sir. Maxwell is free. I'll tell him you want him."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sir Ralph is out, sir,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, I know, said the detective pleasantly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I did not come here to see Sir Ralph, but to see you. You know who I am. Let me in, won't you?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now, my man, you needn't feel nervous. Your master won't be back yet awhile. You came to my office to see me this morning, and left before I got back. I've come to see what this important information you've got for me is."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It's all a mistake, he asserted unsteadily."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I--I----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That won't do, my man, said Foyle brusquely."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You know something which it is important I should know. Sir Ralph has told you to keep your mouth shut. But you're going to tell me before either of us leaves this room. I want you to speak now. Never mind about thinking of a lie."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right, sir, I'll tell you what I came about. You're a gentleman and won't see me a loser. Sir Ralph, he promised to look after me if I kept my mouth shut."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That will be all right, he answered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You'll be paid according to the value of your information."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then it's this, sir, blurted out Roberts."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mr. Grell, whom you thought was murdered, is not dead. He came here an hour or two ago, and was in with Sir Ralph for quite a time."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh. The detective smiled incredulously, and snapping open his cigar-case selected a smoke, nipped off the end, and deliberately struck a match."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You've got hold of some cock-and-bull idea. I suppose you've deceived yourself with some fancied resemblance."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was Mr. Grell himself, I tell you, averred the servant earnestly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Don't I know him well enough? He was roughly dressed and had shaved off his moustache, but I'm certain of it. He came up by the lift as large as life with a note for Sir Ralph. I didn't notice him much at first, because I thought he was a street messenger. But when Sir Ralph told me to bring him in I had a good look at him. I knew I had seen him before, but the change in him threw me off for a while. It was only after I left him with Sir Ralph that it came on me like a shot. I knew that there was a reward out in connection with the murder, and I came on to you at once. If you had been in I should have told you all this then, but Sir Ralph came after me and promised to pay me well to keep my tongue between my teeth. But right is right, sir, and I hope you'll do what you can for me. For I'll take my dying oath that the man I saw here was Mr. Grell."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You seem pretty sure of yourself. I think you've made a mistake, but we'll go into the thing fully and you'll get whatever your information is worth. How long was this chap in with your master?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don't know. I didn't see him come out. He had been in there about ten minutes when I started out to see you."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right. Now I'm going to wait here till your master comes back. You can deny that I have questioned you, or that you have told me anything, if you like. I shan't give you away. Where's the telephone?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I'll let him go now, then?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good morning, Sir Ralph, said the detective, rising."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I just dropped in as I was near here to tell you how things were progressing, and to see if you'd got any news."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Always glad to see you, Mr. Foyle, though I'm afraid there's nothing fresh so far as I am concerned. I see my man's made you comfortable. There's been a mistake somewhere. I've been to Scotland Yard waiting for you."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That's a pity, he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Things have got muddled up somehow. However, now we're here it's all right. By the way, we narrowly missed laying our hands on Grell an hour or two ago."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What! he stammered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You nearly arrested him?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was touch and go, said Foyle languidly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Some of our men got on his trail and followed him until he reached here. They never saw him come out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do you mean to say that Grell has been here--here to-day?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I do,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Without my knowledge?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That's what I want to know. Was it without your knowledge, Sir Ralph?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do you suggest that I am hiding him?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I feel quite certain that you have had a talk with him lately, he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I thought you were going to do what you could to help us clear up this mystery. Why deny a fact that is plain?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well? he demanded icily."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I suppose I am not entirely a spy at your disposal, Mr. Foyle. I am like most men, I have my limits. I prefer to remain master of my own actions."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I should be the last to dispute it, said Foyle, with a slight bow,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thank you, said the other."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It would make no difference to me whether it was a threat or not. He remained in thought for a moment. The fact that Grell had entered the place and apparently got clear away had led him to believe that the police knew nothing of the visit, that the only risk of the interview being disclosed lay with Roberts. If the detectives had really been close on the heels of the fugitive, as Foyle said, it could do no harm to admit the truth. His promise to say nothing could hardly be considered to cover the contingency."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Has Roberts been talking to you?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Roberts? repeated the superintendent, with a puzzled frown."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Oh, of course, he's your servant. I asked him one or two questions, but he didn't seem to understand me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, for what it is worth, I don't mind admitting that Grell did come to see me. All he wanted was money. He is frightfully hard up, and apparently the operations of your people have harassed him dreadfully."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Did you let him have any money?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No; I absolutely refused unless he would come out of concealment and try to justify himself. With that he went. He was here less than twenty minutes or half an hour."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, yes. I don't see that you could have done anything else. I suppose you made no suggestion to him?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "In what way?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The other day a man came to see me. He was a man of high social standing and had fallen into the clutches of a gang of blackmailers. He wanted us to take action, but he absolutely refused to go into the witness-box to give evidence. I pressed him, pointing out that that was the only way in which we could bring home anything against them. 'It will ruin me,' he declared. 'Is there no other way it can be put a stop to?' I replied that we were helpless. 'What can I do?' he cried. 'Is the thing they accuse you of true?' I asked. He flushed and admitted that it was. 'Well,' I said, 'if you ask my advice as a man and not as an official, I should meet with an accident.' But he would not take my advice,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I did suggest that way out, admitted the baronet reluctantly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He wouldn't hear of it. And Grell is not a coward."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He gave no hint of where he was going when he left you?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Not the slightest."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am very much obliged to you, Sir Ralph, he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Perhaps you will keep in touch with me in case anything arises. Good morning."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Have you seen a man call over the road lately?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, sir, answered the cabman alertly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The only person has been a messenger-boy with a note for Lady Eileen Meredith. He told me it had been handed in at the district messenger office at Victoria. Lady Eileen came out shortly afterwards and walked away in the direction of Piccadilly. Phillips has gone after her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right. Report to the Yard directly she returns, and keep a sharp look-out."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Very good, sir,"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I think I had better wait, he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My business is important. That procured his admission into the house, but he had no idea of waiting in idleness in one of the reception-rooms. Eileen had received a note which had taken her out--he shrewdly suspected that it was from Grell. It was conceivable, though it was not probable, that she might have left it about. It was for him to learn the contents of that note if possible."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Look here, old chap, he said, with an assumption of familiarity that flattered the frigid footman,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I want to see Lady Eileen directly she comes in, and I don't want to be announced. He winked as though from one man of the world to another."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You understand, don't you?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, sir, I think I can arrange that, said the footman."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can put you in her own sitting-room, and she'll most likely go straight there when she comes back."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That's the ticket, said Foyle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I like a man who's got brains. A sovereign changed hands."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now, if you ever hear anything, perhaps you'll let me know. Drop into my office when you're by and have a chat and a cigar."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I will that, sir, said the man."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Thank you, sir."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah!"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don't think I'll wait, after all, said Foyle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Time's getting on, and I've several things to attend to."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shall I tell Lady Eileen you called, sir?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh yes, certainly. Tell her I'll call back about six this evening."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Cut along up to the Metropolitan and Provincial Bank, Maxwell. A cheque, No. A834,076 for £200, signed Burghley, has been presented this morning. Find out who cashed it and how it was paid. If there were any notes, get their numbers and come straight on to me at the Yard."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Hello, Phillips! he exclaimed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You've been after Lady Eileen, haven't you? What luck did you have?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I've just reported to Mr. Green, sir, was the answer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She walked to the Metropolitan and Provincial Bank and took a taxi when she came out. I followed in another cab, but my man punctured a tyre in the Strand and I missed her."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Come upstairs with me and tell me all about it. What number was her taxi?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "County Council LD 6132, police 28,293. Mr. Green has got the name of the driver from the Public Carriage Department, and I was just going out to see if I could get hold of him."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right; you get along, then. And don't forget that if you miss people like that again, accident or no accident, there'll be trouble."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It's unlucky that our man failed to keep her in sight, said Foyle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I'll bet a hundred to one that she's arranged to meet Grell somewhere. However, there's nothing to do now but to wait. Just look here, Green. Here is something I picked out of the lady's fire. Help me and we'll see if we can reconstruct the entire message."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So you're the cab-driver we're looking for, are you? he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You're William White?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, sir, answered the man."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That's my name."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All right, White. There's nothing to be alarmed about. You picked up a lady outside the Metropolitan and Provincial Bank this morning. Just sit down and tell us where you took her."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, that is it? said White, relieved to find that it was merely an inquiry and not an offence that he was called upon to answer for."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, sir. I did pick up a lady there. I took her along to the General Post Office, and waited while she went in. Then----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wait a minute, interrupted Foyle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "How long was she in there?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ten minutes as near as a touch, according to the way the taximeter jumped while I was waiting. When she came out she asked me if I could take her to Kingston. I said yes. And she told me to stop on the Surrey side of Putney Bridge, because she expected to pick up a friend, sir. Well, he was waiting there for us----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What kind of a looking man was he?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A tough sort of customer. Dressed like a labouring chap. I thought it was a queer go, but it wasn't none of my business, and ladies take queer fancies at times. She didn't say nothing to him that I could hear, but just leaned out of the window and beckoned. He jumped in and off we went. We stopped at a tailor's shop in Kingston, and the man went in while the lady stayed in the cab."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What was the name of the shop?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I didn't notice. I could show it to any one, though, if I went there again."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Very well. Go on,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, in a matter of a couple of minutes out comes the chap again and spoke to the lady. She got out and paid me off. He went back into the shop and she walked away down the street."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And that's the last you saw of them, I suppose?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, sir. I went away and had a bit of grub before coming back. As I passed Kingston railway station, I saw the lady standing by a big motor-car, talking to the man seated at the wheel. I thought at first it was the chap I had driven down, but I could see it wasn't when I got a closer look at him. He was better dressed and held himself straighter."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah! Could you describe him? Did you notice the number of the car?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A sort of ordinary-looking man, sir. I didn't take much stock of him. The car was A 1245--a big brown thing with an open body."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right you are, White, said Foyle with a nod of dismissal."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That will do for now. You go down and wait in the yard with your cab, and we'll get some one to go with you to Kingston. And keep your mouth shut about what you've told us."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You'll have to go to Kingston, Green. It's a hot scent there. You've got the numbers of the notes that Maxwell got from the bank. Find out if any of them were changed at the tailor's. They've taken precautions to blind the trail. What I think happened is, that she telephoned from the General Post Office to some motor-car firm to send a car from London to Kingston railway station, under the impression that it would be less risky. He went into the tailor's place to arrange for a change of clothes, and she dismissed the taxi as a measure of precaution. It was a piece of luck that the man noticed the motor-car, but we can't be absolutely certain of the number he gave. He had no particular reason to remember it. Anyway, I'll send it out to the county police, and ask them to keep their eyes open. Meanwhile, I'll set some men to work to see if any of the big garages have sent a car to Kingston, and get the number verified. If you 'phone me when you get down there, I'll let you know how things stand."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Do you think she's gone with him, sir?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don't think it likely. It would double the danger of identification. But we can soon find if she's gone back to her home. I told Taylor, who is watching in Berkeley Square, to report when she returned."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, sir, was the reply."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He rang up half an hour ago. You told me I wasn't to disturb you. He reported Lady Eileen Meredith had just gone in."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There you are, then, Green, said Foyle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That point's settled. You get along. I wish I could come with you, but it won't do for me to leave London just now, and goodness knows where you may have to finish up. Good-bye and good luck."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Think of the angels, he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was just wondering how things were going."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Things are straightening out a bit, said the superintendent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It's been a busy day, and it's not over yet. And, puffing a ring of smoke into the air, he told in bare, unadorned fashion the events of the day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It has been a narrow thing for Grell, he concluded."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Even now, I fancy we shall get him. Green's as tenacious as a bull-dog when he's got something to take hold of."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It's time we got a bit forward, he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The adjourned inquest will come on again soon, and we shan't be able to keep the question of identity up our sleeves any longer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There's a week yet, answered Foyle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don't think it will much matter what is revealed then."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You're not a man to be over-confident, Foyle, he explained."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Do you feel pretty certain of having Grell under arrest by that time? I've not interfered with you hitherto, but for heaven's sake be careful. It won't do to make a mistake--especially with a man of Grell's standing."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It all depends upon an idea I have, sir. I am willing to take all responsibility."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You're still convinced that Grell is guilty?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am convinced that he knows all about the murder, answered Foyle ambiguously."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With the help of Pinkerton's, I've traced his history back for the last twenty-five years. He's had his hands in some queer episodes in his time before he became a millionaire. There are gaps which we can't fill up, of course, but we're pretty complete. There was one thing in his favour. Although he's known toughs in all corners of the world, he's never been mixed up in any dirty business. And as he's carried out one or two political missions for the United States, I suppose he's had to know some of these people. To-morrow or the next day, I expect to have the records of both Ivan Abramovitch and Condit. It will all help, though the bearing on the murder is perhaps indirect."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You're talking in parables, like a detective out of a book, said Thornton, with a peevishness that his covering smile could not entirely conceal."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But I know you'll have your own way when you don't want to be too precise. How do you regard the burnt paper? Is it important?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It would have been if I could have saved it, said the detective regretfully."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As it is, it's of no use as evidence in a court, for it only rests on my word. I keep pegging away at it, but I'm not certain that I can fill it out as it should be. But you never know your luck in our trade. I remember a case of forgery once. The counterfoil of a tradesman's paying-in book showed £100 with which he was not credited in the books of the bank. The cashier was confident that his initials in blue pencil on the counterfoil were genuine. Yet he was equally certain that he had not received the money. The tradesman was certain that he had sent the money. There it was. I was at a dead end. One day, I noticed a little stationer's store near the tradesman's office. In the window were some blue pencils. I walked in and bought something, and casually remarked that I shouldn't have thought there was much demand for those pencils. 'Oh, schoolboys buy 'em,' said the old woman who served me. 'There's old ----s' son over the way. He buys half a dozen at a time.' Well, off I went to the grammar school that the boy was attending, and had a talk with one of the masters. He admitted that the lad was exceptionally clever at drawing. I was beginning to see my way, so had the boy called out of his class into a private room. 'Now, tell me, my boy,' I said, 'what did you do with the money you stole from your father on such and such a date?' The bluff worked. He turned pale, and then admitted that he had forged the initials, taken the money, and gone on a joy-jaunt for a week while he was supposed to be staying with an aunt. There was the luck of the idea coming in my head through looking at those pencils."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Have you been looking at blue pencils to-day?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Something of the kind,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Burghley"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That ought to do,"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Fred Trevelyan? Who is he?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That's the name he gave, sir, answered the clerk, who ranked as a detective-sergeant."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I should call him Dutch Fred."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, I was wandering. Send him in."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On the war-path, I see, Freddy. Sit down. What's the game? Going to the big fight?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, Mr. Foyle, he declared earnestly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I don't take any interest in boxing. I just called in to put you wise to something as I was passing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That's very nice of you, Freddy. What was it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It's about Harry Goldenburg, he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I saw him to-day."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That so? he said listlessly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Out on the Portsmouth Road, I suppose?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Yes, he agreed,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Just a guess, laughed the superintendent."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, what about it? Did you speak to him?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I didn't have a chance, retorted Freddy."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was in a little run-about with a pal when he came scooting by hell-for-leather. We only got a glimpse of him, and if he noticed us he made no sign. I thought you'd like to know, that's all. It was an open car, brown colour. I couldn't see the number for dust; it was A something."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, we know all that, said Foyle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All the same, Freddy, I am glad you dropped in: I won't forget it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Right oh, Mr. Foyle. Good evening."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A call from Liverpool, sir, said the man in the private exchange."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mr. Blake wants you. Shall I put him through?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is that Mr. Foyle? This is Blake speaking. We've got on the track of the lady again. She'd been staying at a boarding-house pretending she was a member of a theatrical company. A local man spotted her and came back to fetch me to make certain of her identity. But she must have got wind of it somehow, for she's hired a motor and slipped off. We're after her now. She's only got half an hour's start, and we've wired to have the main roads watched. I expect we'll have her in an hour or two."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Get along then, Blake. And don't smoke when you're on the job this time. Good-bye."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She seemed pretty cheerful when she came in, sir--been sitting all alone since"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I hope you will not consider my call inconvenient, Lady Eileen, he said suavely."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I considered it of importance that I should see you as soon as possible."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am sorry I was out when you called this morning. Had I known, I should have waited for you."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Sometimes an appointment with one's bankers is a thing one can't put off,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My bankers? she lied instantly,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I have not been to my bankers'."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I beg your pardon, he said, his voice keyed to a curious inflection."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was under the impression that you had--that, in fact, you changed a cheque for £200 made payable to bearer."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, and if I did? she challenged."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That is, of course, my private business, Mr. Foyle. You surely haven't come to cross-examine me on my habits of personal extravagance?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Partly, he countered."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Shall we be plain with one another?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "By all means let us be plain. I am only a girl and I cannot altogether follow the subtleties of your work."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We are not such dreadful people really, he smiled."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We try to do unpleasant work as little unpleasantly as possible. As you say, you are only a girl, and although perhaps uncommonly clever, you are--if you will pardon me--a little apt to let your impulses outreach your reason. More than once I have tried to advise you as I would my own daughter. Well, now, here is some more advice--for what it is worth. Tell me exactly what you did between the time you went out this morning and the time you came in--whom you saw and where you went. Will you do that?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You are a dreadfully suspicious man. If it interests you, then, you can have it. I went to the bank, and from there took a cab to my dressmaker's, where I paid a bill and was fitted for a new gown. I went on and did some shopping at various places. Shall I write out an exact account for you?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is mere foolishness, Lady Eileen. I want to give you the opportunity of stating frankly what occurred from the moment you got Robert Grell's letter this morning. You know this story of the dressmaker would fall to pieces the instant we started making inquiries to verify it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So I'm on my defence, then? she said abruptly. He nodded and watched closely the changing expression of her features."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have done nothing that gives you any right to question me, she went on defiantly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And I am not going to submit to any more questions. Good morning. Can you find your own way out?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I shouldn't touch the bell if I were you, he said peremptorily."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It will be better for both of us if I say what I have got to say alone."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now, he said sternly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tell me if your father signed the cheque you cashed, or whether you put his signature to it yourself?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, I did sign it, she blazed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My father was out, and I wanted the money at once. He will not mind--he would have given it to me had he been here."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Don't excite yourself, please, he said soothingly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I felt bound to let you see there was a serious reason why I should press you to give an account of your movements to-day. Sit down quietly for a moment."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Will you tell me now why you were so anxious to obtain that money--why you could not wait for an hour or two until your father returned? Don't hurry yourself. Think. Remember that I shall be able to check what you say."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I--I----"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Will it help you if I tell you that two of the notes which were given in exchange for the cheque were changed at a tailor's shop at Kingston, where a rough-looking man bought an overcoat and a suit of clothes?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You--know--that?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know that, he repeated."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "And I know more. I know, for instance, that Mr. Grell went to Sir Ralph Fairfield before applying to you. Did he tell you that? He waited, but she made no answer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I know too that he has left London. You know where he is making for. Where is it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can't tell you, she cried vehemently."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You cannot force me to. He is an innocent man. You know he is. You can expose me--tell all the world that I have been guilty of forgery if you like--you will not get me to lift a finger to hound him to his death."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I will not trouble you any further now, he said in a level voice."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I may take it you will tell your father of the--the banking episode. That will relieve me of a rather painful task."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I will tell him,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Then good evening, Lady Eileen."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Good evening."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She knows her own mind, that girl, he said to himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She won't give away a thing. Either she's very much in love with him, or----"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I'd better take these two notes away, he said, beginning to fold up the flimsies."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I shall want you to keep a note of the numbers, in case you are called upon to give evidence."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He didn't show you a warrant-card, did he? he asked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "All right, Mr. Jones, you leave this to me."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This is the man? asked the police officer. The tailor nodded, and he went on, addressing Green,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What's this about you taking money and pretending to be a police officer? He had produced an official notebook and looked very important as he loomed in the doorway, gazing sternly at the detective."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Don't answer any questions unless you want to. You know I shall have to take anything you say down in writing, and it may be used as evidence against you."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Chief Detective-Inspector Green, New Scotland Yard, S.W.,"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That won't do, old chap, said the constable, in the manner of one well used to the ways of the criminal fraternity."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You don't come that on me. You might have written those envelopes yourself. You'll have to come along."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "All right, my man, he said authoritatively."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I'll see the station officer. Send for a cab."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Cool hand, isn't it? whispered the policeman to the tailor."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "See how he's dropped trying to pull off his bluff on me. Just hop out and see if you can find a cab. I'll keep an eye on him."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "They 'phoned through from headquarters for me to meet you here, sir. There's one or two messages come through for you."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Is this man--this gentleman from the Yard?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "What the blazes----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That's all right, he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I was careless enough to come out without a warrant-card, and this young man has made a little mistake. Don't you worry about it, my lad. Only, next time, don't put so much zeal into a doubtful case. Cut along back to your beat and give that chap this. Some sovereigns chinked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now, Mr. Malley, I'll be glad to have those messages, and to put a call through to Mr. Foyle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "This last message shows he's got a good start. He passed through Haslemere an hour ago. Can you get away yourself, or have you got a good man you can lend me?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That's all arranged, sir, was the answer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mr. Foyle said that I was to go with you if you wanted me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Right. We'll have to rake out a good car somewhere. You see to that. We'll pick up any fresh news at the county police station at Haslemere. This man may have been stopped by now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Will a chauffeur be necessary, sir? I could drive if you liked."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "So much the better. Tell 'em to hustle the car along here. It'll be just as well to have plenty of petrol."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mr. Green?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That's my name,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Your people have been on the 'phone to us, and so have the Hampshire Constabulary at Petersfield. Nothing has been seen of the car you want since it passed through here, apparently on the way to Petersfield. We didn't know you wanted it held up till too late, but one of our bicycle patrols remembered having seen it go by. Ten minutes later, we got word. Both Petersfield and Midhurst have had men out waiting for it. No luck at all. It seems to have vanished clean off the face of the earth. You'll probably meet some of our bicycle patrols if you're going on. We've been searching the by-roads."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Much obliged, he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We'll watch for your men. Drive on, Mr. Malley."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There's too much of the needle in a haystack business about this to suit my taste, he complained when once they were clear of the town."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That car might have taken any one of fifty side-turnings. Anyway, we'll go on to Petersfield and see whether they've had any luck. Slow down a bit. There's not much object in speed now."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It's all right, constable, said Malley."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We're not the people you're looking for. We're from London, and we're looking for the same man."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Beg pardon, gentlemen,"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We've found it, sir, exclaimed the man excitedly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It's in a lane at the other side of the little village called Dalehurst, a mile farther up. It had been run into a ditch and left there. There's no sign of the man who was in it. I'm just riding in to report. There's a sergeant looking after it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Never mind about reporting, yet, said Green."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You come back with us and show us where this car is. I'll take all responsibility."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We shall get on quicker and safer if we walk,"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "We'll carry one of the headlights with us, said Green."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Faith, it's muddy."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Who's that?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It's all right, sergeant, said the man who had acted as guide to the detectives."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It's only two gentlemen from London who are engaged on the case. I met them and brought them along."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Any one been here but you two men? he asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Here, both of you, press your right feet here. That's it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Our gentleman walked pretty fast, observed Green."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "See how plain the heel and toe marks come out, while the rest of the impression is blurred. Hello! what's this?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We're done for to-night, I'm afraid, he said."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "He's gone off the track and got into the wood. We'll get back, Malley, and try to find a room or somewhere to sleep near here. Then we can turn out with daylight. But first of all we must 'phone to the Yard. By the way, sergeant, do you know whose estate we're on?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I'm not quite sure, growled the officer."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It used to be Colonel Sawford's, but I believe he sold it to that man who was killed in London a little while back. Grell was his name, wasn't it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Really? Thank you, sergeant. Come on, Malley. Perhaps we can find the village post office and use the 'phone."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "On his own land, eh? he said at last."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What do you make of it, Green? Is it genuine, or has he done it just to throw us off, and doubled back on his trail? It looks as if he intended us to find that motor-car."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It's a deserted, blind road made for wood-cutters years ago. It was only a chance that a constabulary sergeant found it. He may have left it there for the time being, relying on coming back to hide it properly out of sight. And this is an ideal place for any one to keep close. It would take a thousand men to search the wood anything like thoroughly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There's some sort of house on the estate, I suppose?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, I've not been up to it, but I'm told it's a big, rambling old place called Dalehurst Grange, approached through sloping meadows and backing on to the woods. It would be easy for a man to see any one in the house coming from the front and slip away into the undergrowth. Malley's gone up to have a look at the place. We'll need a search warrant to go over the place, but I don't think it'll be any good."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Nor I, agreed Foyle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It'll have to be done some other way. You've asked the county constabulary to make inquiries and to watch the railway stations round about, of course? All right. You run things on your own discretion, and if you or Malley see me just shut your eyes. Now give me your address and report to the Yard as usual."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It's all right, I'm Foyle right enough. I'm thinking of a change of air for a day or two, was all the explanation he vouchsafed."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I want to just run through my letters and catch the nine-ten train from Waterloo. I'll leave a note over for Mr. Mainland, who'll take charge while I'm away."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Is there a good hotel in this place?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There's the Anchor, sir, answered the porter."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It's a rare good place, an' they say as 'ow Lord Nelson stayed there once. They aren't very busy at this time of the year. Only one or two motorists stopping there."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What's good enough for Nelson is good enough for me. Is it far, or can you carry that bag there?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By the way, he went on, with an air of one faintly curious,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That I 'ave, asserted the porter, eager to associate himself, however remotely, with the tragedy."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I've seen him time and again. He always used this station when he came down from London--though that wasn't often, worse luck. He was a nice sort of gentleman, though some of the folks down here pretended that 'e was not what you'd call in proper society, because he was an American. But I always found 'im generous and free-'anded. And to think of 'im being done to death! My missus says she's afraid to go to bed afore I go off duty now. It was a great shock to us, that murder."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You see the last train through, I suppose?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, sir. The ten-nine up. As I was saying, what with these 'ere murders and things----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Have they shut the Grange up, or is there still some one living there?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Well, they got rid of most of the servants. I believe there's still a 'ousekeeper there and a maid, as well as a gardener. I remember when Mr. Grell first took over the place, Bill Ellis--'e's the blacksmith--ses to me----"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Alfred Frampton--London."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mr. Frampton of London"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Pity I didn't think to bring a pair of field-glasses, muttered Foyle, as his eyes swept the place."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can't tell how those mullioned windows are protected. Well, I may as well make myself comfortable, I suppose."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "A cord, he muttered."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Now I wonder if that is merely a precaution against burglars or----"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mr. Robert Grell, I believe,"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That is my name, answered Grell, speaking as quietly as Foyle himself."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I can guess who you are. If you will wait just a moment while I assure these women that there is no need for alarm I will come down and talk with you. You had better go to sleep again, Mrs. Ellis. And you girls get back to bed. This is a friend of mine."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "But who--who is he?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mrs. Ellis is my housekeeper here, he explained to Foyle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "The maids didn't know I was in the place. It's all right, Mrs. Ellis. I'll just have a chat with this gentleman. Don't you worry."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I may as well tell you, Mr. Grell, he said,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You will not dare to shoot, ejaculated Grell smilingly."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Oh, I know. We're in England, not in the backwoods. Come downstairs and have a drink. I don't want you to arrest me until we've had a talk. By the way, may I ask your name?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Foyle is my name, he answered--"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Superintendent Foyle. I am afraid I shall have to refuse that drink, and as for the talk, I may presently determine to arrest you, so anything you say may be used as evidence. Of course you know that."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, I know that. No objection to my having a drink, I suppose, even if you won't join me?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sorry to seem ungracious, but even that I can't allow."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Ah. Afraid of poison, I suppose. Just as you like. Well, here we are. If you will let go my arm I assure you I will neither attack you nor try to escape. Then we can sit down comfortably."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I am afraid it is impossible, Mr. Grell, he said gently."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am anxious not to seem harsh, but you see I am alone with you and my duty.... If, however, you will allow me, I have a pair of handcuffs."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By all means, if it will make you easier,"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "May I ask what you intend to do now?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Wait till daylight and then send one of the maids with a message to the nearest police station, replied Foyle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Would you like a cigar? I can recommend these."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Do you mind cutting it and giving me a light? he asked."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It's rather awkward with these--er--ornaments."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Do you really think that I killed Harry Goldenburg?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don't know, confessed the superintendent non-committally."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I think you may have."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes. That's a pity, said Grell, lifting his cigar to his mouth."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This affair must have cost you a great deal of trouble, Mr. Foyle. And it's all wasted, because, of course, I had nothing to do with it."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I want to know,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Tell me why you never announced that I was alive? asked Grell."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You'll have to do it, you know."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Well, there's no harm in admitting now that one idea was to make you think that we were deceived, and so to throw you off your guard."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "And it did until you got hold of Ivan. Well, you've made a mistake this time, Mr. Foyle. There were finger-prints on the dagger with which Goldenburg was killed, eh?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, there were finger-prints, he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I have a photograph of them in my pocket if you would like them compared now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "With mine? That's what I was about to suggest. You'll find some writing-paper and ink in the desk behind you. I suppose they will do."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Will you kindly hold out your hands? he said. As Grell did so he smeared the tips of the fingers of the right hand with ink."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now press your fingers lightly but firmly on the paper. Thank you."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Does that satisfy you, Mr. Foyle?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It satisfies me that you did not actually kill the man, he said steadily."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I'll own I'm not surprised at that. I believe if you had killed him you would have been man enough to have stayed and faced the consequences. You will observe that I have not formally arrested you yet. But I do believe that you know all about the crime--that you were perhaps an eye-witness."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Speak plainly now! he cried hoarsely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "What are you hinting at?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I thought I made myself clear, he replied."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "To make it plainer I will ask you if a man, famous, rich, and with an honourable reputation, flies on the eve of his wedding-day, assisted by his valet, hides himself in a low part of London, and associates with doubtful characters, whose friends abduct and drug police officers, who uses, in short, every effort to avoid or to hamper justice--has not some strong reason for his actions? Is it not plausible to suppose that he is an accessory either before or after the fact?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You are a better judge of evidence than I am, he said unemotionally."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Personally, I don't think the facts you have mentioned would convict me of anything but eccentricity. Who is this Harry Goldenburg, anyway? Beyond the fact that he's my double I know nothing of him. That's certainly a coincidence, but why on earth I should conceal anything I know is beyond me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You're talking nonsense, Mr. Grell, and you know it, said Foyle, with a weary little gesture."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There's too much to be explained away by coincidence. We know who Harry Goldenburg was, and that there was a strong motive for your wishing him out of the way. He leaned over a little table and his face was close to Grell's."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You can only delay, you cannot prevent justice by keeping your mouth shut."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I shall stick to my story, he said. And then, with a return to his former flippancy of manner,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You're a clever man, Mr. Foyle. I never realised till you and your men were on my heels how hard a time a professional criminal must have. Even now I am not clear how you knew I was down here. When I found the police in charge of the motor-car I had left I thought they were merely guarding it as a derelict. I did not guess that you knew I had escaped from London in it."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "A mere question of organisation, said Foyle."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As a matter of fact, we know most of your movements from the time you left Sir Ralph Fairfield's flat to the moment you separated from Lady Eileen at Kingston. By the way, she made some money over to you. You may care to know that that was got by forgery."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Be careful, sir, he said tensely."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You need not lie to me."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It is the simple truth. Lady Eileen got a note from you asking for money. She had none, and her father was out, so she signed a cheque in his name and cashed it personally."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "She did _that_--for me! said Grell, lifting his head, haggard and wan. Then, as a thought occurred to him,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She is not under arrest?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No. I had her word that she would inform her father."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Excuse me, sir. I couldn't sleep, so I dressed, and thought I would look in to see if Mr. Grell or you would like anything. Perhaps a cup of coffee----"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "No, thank you, said the superintendent."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "By the way, now you're here you'll perhaps tell me whether you expected Mr. Grell's arrival. Didn't you think he was dead?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "That I did, sir, she answered timorously."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I couldn't make it out when I got his telegram from Liverpool. It gave me a shock."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "From Liverpool? repeated Foyle slowly."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "So he sent a wire from Liverpool, did he? Would you mind if I had a look at it?"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "See here, Mrs. Ellis, there has been a murder, though, fortunately, Mr. Grell was not the victim. I am interested in the matter, and you will be acting in his interests if you show it to me."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don't know what to do, I'm sure, quavered the woman irresolutely."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I was supposed to have burnt it. Hadn't I better wake him up, and then he can let you look if he likes?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I shouldn't worry him if I were you, said Foyle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "You may take it that I have a right to see that message."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Mrs. Ellis, Dalehurst Grange, Dalehurst.--There has been mistake of identity. Am safe and well. Shall be down this evening, but time uncertain. Please have room ready. Let no one know you have heard from me. Burn this.--R. G."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, I guess you must have been a bit startled when you got that, he said."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Did Mr. Grell give any explanation when he came?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, in a way. He got here an hour or two after it came and must have let himself in with his own key. He walked in on me while I was doing some sewing in my own sitting-room. He said that the police had asked him to keep out of the way, because if it was known that he was alive it might hamper them. He told me not even to let the maids know that he was here, and he came straight up to this room and locked himself in. I had made a bed ready, but he has slept on the couch over there. She nodded towards a big settee under the window."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "He said the bedroom might do for a lady friend he was expecting who might arrive at any moment. He told me, too, that it might be necessary to leave suddenly."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Good morning, Mr. Foyle, he said genially."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I'm afraid I dropped off, but I've had rather a wearying time lately. Now, what's the programme? I suppose a bath is out of the question, or --with a glance at his fettered hands--"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Only a fool runs risks when there's nothing to be gained. But I'm prepared to run one if you like to fall in with a plan I've thought out. You're not under arrest yet. You needn't be if you care to undertake to give evidence when the inquest is resumed. For you are at present the only person who can clear up the whole thing. Mind you, it would depend on what came out at the inquest whether we should then arrest you. I can give no guarantee about it. But if you accept, all that will be necessary is to quarter a couple of my men with you for the time being."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "My dear man, he cried,"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You can't stop my knowing the truth, answered Foyle equably."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Sooner or later I shall be able to prove it. And if you persist it will make things much more unpleasant for you."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "No, it's no good, said Grell at last."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I know nothing."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Will you tell me if you had any visitors on the evening of the murder? he inquired, blandly ignoring the other's refusal. He noticed a quick flash of surprise pass over Grell's countenance and drew his own conclusions. Swiftly a new thought came to him."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Did Goldenburg come to you alone?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I don't see why you shouldn't know that, if you want to. He came with a friend of mine. She left shortly afterwards."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "She? Foyle seized on the word."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "It was a woman, then?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "That would be Lola, of course. His blue eyes met Grell's frown with an ingenuous stare."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "This is beginning to get clearer, Mr. Grell. Goldenburg was blackmailing you, eh? Maybe he had letters which you wouldn't have liked Lady Eileen to see--what?"
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Now I come to think of it, was Goldenburg a relative of yours? The likeness is amazing. Well, suppose, for the sake of argument, he was. And Lola--where does Lola stand? Was it to her, by any chance, that the letters were directed? Was she merely a friend, or did she stand in closer relationship to either of you?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I am afraid I am boring you. It's a bad habit, thinking aloud."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "It does seem futile, agreed Grell."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "You surely have little need to exercise yourself about these things."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Ah, you think so? I am beginning to think that something more is necessary. It may be--of course, this is only for the sake of illustration--that the dagger was handled by some one after the murder had occurred. However, let the subject drop. Perhaps your housekeeper will get us some breakfast while one of the girls runs into Dalehurst."
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I congratulate you, sir, said Green."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "We'll have the thing fairly straightened out in a day or two now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "I hope so, said Foyle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "Mr. Malley, will you stay with this gentleman for five minutes? I want to speak to you in another room, Green."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Malley told me he passed you in the village yesterday. You got our man quicker than I should have thought possible in the circumstances. How did he take it?"
}
]
|
22173 | Unknown Title | Unknown Author | [
{
"from": "human",
"value": "As a matter of fact, he said,"
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "I've got a search-warrant in my pocket, and we were coming over this house to-day. I didn't anticipate much profit, because he could have easily slipped away into the woods. I got the county constabulary to put a cordon of patrols round about, and hoped to drive him into their hands. But it was a slim chance. However, we've got him now."
},
{
"from": "human",
"value": "Yes, we've got him now, agreed Foyle."
},
{
"from": "gpt",
"value": "There only remains the Petrovska woman, and we'll have her to-day. Listen."
}
]
|
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.