human
Will you tell me whether you have written a letter to Quinion, Broadstone, any time within the last six weeks?
gpt
Why not say at once, Charles, if you know anything about the matter?
human
I have,
gpt
You darn’d skunk! shouted the farmer in wrathful tones;
human
I refuse to give you any other reply than what you have got.
gpt
Then take this from me, said Ranger, in somewhat softer tones, but yet with a display of a considerable amount of excitement,
human
You mean it?
gpt
Mean it? I should think I do! Don’t you doubt it for one minute,
human
This is rather sudden, farmer, broke in John.
gpt
What’s he going to do when he leaves here?
human
I don’t know, and I was going to add, I don’t care, but I won’t say that; still, that is for him to decide.
gpt
You have used some strong language to my brother, Mr. Ranger; but what it’s all about I am quite in ignorance of.
human
That I quite believe, John, added Ranger in quieter tones;
gpt
Can I say or do anything to smooth matters? Tell me what it’s all about.
human
Ask that coward, he knows well enough, and perhaps will tell you when I’m gone.
gpt
But would it not be better for you to tell me yourself?
human
Don’t you interfere, Jack, exclaimed Charles,
gpt
Repeat that word, you cur, shouted the farmer angrily, as he advanced upon Charles,
human
I was about to say, when I was stopped, that I should not think of staying now under any circumstances.
gpt
No fear that such a sneak as you have shown yourself to be would be asked.
human
I think, broke in John,
gpt
Well, I’ll tell you, John. About two months ago I had a private conversation with Fellows, as we were one evening seated outside the homestead. He and I were supposed to be the only two persons present; but there was another listening, concealed in the bushes, who not only overheard all that was said, but sent a report of our conversation at once to Mr. Quinion, at Broadstone in England.
human
How have you learned this?
gpt
From Fellows’ mother; who upon calling at Broadstone, by her son’s request, to acquaint them with incidents known only to myself and him, was surprised to find they were already in possession of the information she had come to bring them.
human
Did they say how they had obtained their information?
gpt
From a correspondent in Canada, who desired that his name might not be made known.
human
Well, farmer, how do you fix my brother with the writing of that letter?
gpt
That’s my matter, replied Ranger.
human
You ask that pale-faced hound over there, and let him deny doing so, if he can, without prevaricating.
gpt
He was by no means certain of the ground he had taken up. But, feeling pretty confident in his own mind that the knowledge which had escaped had been obtained by Charles, in the manner indicated, he was determined to see if the fellow could be