human
Now, what next? asked Cub as he sat down on a camp chair after the last guy rope had been drawn taut and fastened securely to its peg.
gpt
It seems to me that it's about time for another pow-wow of the Catwhiskerites.
human
I agree with you, Bob,
gpt
Well, what's the question?
human
I'll offer a question if somebody'll take the chair and preside,
gpt
All right, Bud agreed.
human
You act as chairman, Mr. Perry.
gpt
I am elected by Bud, there being no opposition, announced the owner of the Catwhisker.
human
Now, what is the question, Hal?
gpt
I'll put it this way, the latter replied:
human
Resolved, that mathematics is more useful to a detective than a flashlight or a skeleton key.
gpt
That isn't half-bad at all, declared Cub in the midst of general laughter and applause.
human
The main trouble is that we can't find anybody on this island to take the other side of the question.
gpt
Very well, ruled the chair;
human
Which is as follows, Bud announced;
gpt
Now, we're getting down to business, said Cub.
human
But that's a composite question. First, why are we here?
gpt
We're here because we're here,
human
The chair is willing to accept that as a good and valid reason provided other collateral questions are answered satisfactorily,
gpt
Next question, how long are we going to stay here?
human
I should say we will stay here until we find a reason for moving on to the next place,
gpt
Another excellent answer and fully supporting answer number one, Mr. Perry announced.
human
Now, for an answer to question number three--What shall we do while here?
gpt
I'll answer that, said Cub;
human
Peeled for what?
gpt
More mathematical evidence.
human
Good! exclaimed Bud.
gpt
We mustn't lose sight of the purpose of this expedition. If our radio Crusoe is really Hal's cousin, we're bound by the ties of friendship to stick to our task till it's finished.
human
Very well, said the chair.
gpt
Having settled the question of general policy, let's get down to some more detail. What shall we do next?
human
Complete our exploration of the islands, said Cub.
gpt
There's no telling what we may find.
human
Now, you're beginning to look at things the way your father does,
gpt
How's that?
human
Why you're willing to look for a trail. I'm not saying you were any worse than Bud and I were before we got started on this hunt. We just stumbled on a trail to begin with, but when we lost it we didn't know what to do next until your father told us it was up to us to scout around and find it again.
gpt
Yes, that's right, Cub admitted.
human
We scouted around in the air and found the trail that brought us here.
gpt
Moral: Whenever at a loss, do some broadcasting,
human
Right, declared Bud;
gpt
Now the thing for us to do is some physical broadcasting on this island.
human
In other words, we'll all go in different directions and examine every square foot of this island,
gpt
Exactly, assented Mr. Perry.
human
It ought not to take very long. There are only about five acres here, although the place is pretty well covered with bushes and trees.