human
I--I can't read it. I'm not awake yet. What does it say?
gpt
Stacy Brown is in jail, fellows,
human
In jail?
gpt
Yes.
human
What's this? What's this?
gpt
How--how do you know?
human
I have his word for it. This note says so, and it is in Stacy's handwriting. He was very much excited when he wrote it.
gpt
What did I tell you?
human
Perhaps Charlie can tell us what has happened,
gpt
Will you be good enough to explain this affair?
human
Man git um.
gpt
What man?
human
Me not know.
gpt
But what for?
human
Charlie not know.
gpt
Have they got Stacy in jail now?
human
Man take um away.
gpt
How did you get this letter, then?
human
Man bring um to me. Say take to you. Fat boy, him scared.
gpt
I should think he had reason to be, muttered Tad.
human
What do you think, Professor?
gpt
I can't think. My head is in a whirl.
human
What had Master Stacy been doing, Charlie?
gpt
Me not know. Me get stuff. Me bring um here. While me get stuff, fat boy go hotel. Me not see um again. Me hurry, ride fast, make pony all soap like wash tub.
human
When--when did you leave there?
gpt
Last night.
human
Then you rode all night?
gpt
Ride fast all night. Pony git sick in the legs and fall down once. Me not care. Why Charlie care? Fat boy git trouble plenty. No care horse die. He say come quick, eh?
human
Yes, that is what he says,
gpt
Then come. Mebby Charlie kill horse. Charlie not care for horse. Charlie like um fat boy.
human
Professor, there is only one thing to be done. Some of us must go back there at once. Perhaps you and I had better start.
gpt
It would be better were we all to go. I don't care to leave one or two of you boys here.
human
But that will detain us too long,
gpt
That makes no difference. Matters no doubt will be held in abeyance until our arrival. Then, again, we may not get back here at once.
human
If that is going to be done we had better leave our provisions here. We can't afford to be burdened with them on our way back. We shall no doubt return this way, when we can pick the stuff up. We will take enough for our meals on the way, but that must be all. Have you decided that we shall all go, Professor?
gpt
Yes, yes, by all means. Make haste!
human
Charlie, help strike the tents. We've got to take them along and our kits,
gpt
Boys, sail in and help Charlie. I will cache the provisions and mark the trees so we shall know where to find them when we return.
human
Oh, this is too bad,
gpt
Serves the little rascal right, retorted Rector.
human
Maybe this will teach him a lesson. What do you think it is, Tad?
gpt
I am sure I don't know. I haven't the least idea what he could have done that would have caused him to be arrested.
human
Well, no use to guess about it. We shall know when we get there--
gpt
Go dress yourselves. You can't go that way,