human
All I know is that I saw the young ladies and knew they were the nieces of the professor. They had been traveling in France and Germany, it was said. Then the professor left just before war was declared. He suspected it was coming, and said he had certain investigations he wished to make before the fighting started. He left the two young ladies in charge of my father and mother, telling them he would be back as soon as he could, and that, thereafter, he would look after them.
gpt
What happened next?
human
The war, answered Schmouder succinctly.
gpt
That spoiled everything. I had to go away and leave my parents. What has become of them I do not know.
human
Haven't you heard from them?
gpt
Not lately, no. Soon after I was forced to join the army I had a letter, in which they told me they were going farther into Germany to be safer.
human
And what about the two girls and Professor Petersen?
gpt
What happened to Professor Petersen I cannot tell you, was the answer.
human
As for his two nieces, my father wrote that they had gone on some scientific expedition shortly after the professor left them, and were not expected back for a month.
gpt
Were they scientists too?
human
I believe so, answered the former janitor.
gpt
They loved study, as did their uncle. At any rate they, too, went into the interior of Germany just before the war broke out, and what has happened to them I do not know any more than I know what happened to Professor Petersen.
human
We can tell you what happened to him, said Ned.
gpt
He died in America, and left a lot of money.
human
So! exclaimed Schmouder.
gpt
Well, it will do no one any good these terrible days.
human
Maybe it will, and perhaps it won't, replied Bob.
gpt
At any rate, he left half his fortune to Professor Snodgrass on condition that our friend find the two nieces and give them the other half of the fortune.
human
Ach! Well, I shall be glad if the young ladies get something,
gpt
Yes, but the trouble is they won't get it if they can't be found, said Ned.
human
And Professor Snodgrass won't get anything, either. Now if you could only tell us where these two girls are to be found, why----
gpt
That I could not do--no one could in these days! declared the prisoner earnestly.
human
I will help you all I can. I am an American at heart, and I hope you will believe me when I say that every gun I fired sent its bullets only into the ground. I could not shoot at my former friends. Germany is no longer a friend to me!
gpt
Nor to any one else, declared Bob.
human
Gee! but it's tough to be so near the solution and then to fail.
gpt
Don't give up yet, advised Ned.
human
We can tell Professor Snodgrass what we have learned, and maybe he can find a way to get in communication with the young ladies. It's a pity Professor Petersen didn't give them half his fortune when he was alive, and save all this bother.
gpt
Yes, it would have been a good idea! scoffed his chum.
human
The girls and Professor Snodgrass would have been better off. But, as a rule, people don't do that sort of thing. I haven't noticed your father--nor mine--giving away half of his possessions. However, the money may be lost entirely now. I don't see how it can be paid over, inherited or whatever the term is anyhow, in these days. Maybe the war has wiped out Professor Petersen's fortune.
gpt
I hardly think that, said the former janitor.
human
He was not a German, and his wealth was not in that country. He was a very careful man, and if he left any money to any one you may be sure it is waiting for them, wherever they are.
gpt
That's the point! exclaimed Bob.
human
The money may be all right, but we can't find those for whom it is intended. And if Professor Snodgrass can't locate the girls, all the fortune goes to a humane society.
gpt
Ach! So? exclaimed Nicholas Schmouder.
human
Well, it is better that than Germany should get it. Please tell your friends that I did never fire my gun at them--always into the ground,
gpt
We'll do the best we can for you,