human
Do we unload tonight, Mr. Sparling?
gpt
No, I think not. Tomorrow morning will be time enough. I never like to do any more work on Sunday than is absolutely necessary.
human
I believe in observing the day, and besides, our people need the rest and the relaxation. That reminds me of what I wanted to say. You did a very clever piece of work last night, both of you.
gpt
Yes; I got a roughhouse from the donkey and the elephant. I'm a sort of a good thing all around. When the fool donkey gets through wiping up a whole county with me, the elephant takes a hand--a trunk, I mean--and lands me high and dry on the roof of the 'Fat Marie.'
human
You mean the deck,
gpt
I don't know what you call it, but it was hard enough when I struck it. Next time I'm going to have a net spread to catch me. I'll bet I would have made a hit in the ring with that donkey wrestling bout. I guess I will try it on some of these times, providing I can get the donkey to work the way he did last night.
human
As I said before, there is something I want to ask you, Phil,
gpt
Yes, sir.
human
Did it not strike you that Jupiter acted very peculiarly last night?
gpt
Yes. I did not see the first of it, but I saw enough.
human
What did you think about it?
gpt
I did not know what to think.
human
What do you think today?
gpt
That it was perfectly natural for Jupiter to balk going across the gangplank.
human
How about him having hurled Teddy to the deck of the 'Fat Marie'?
gpt
That is different.
human
Did it arouse any suspicions in your mind, my boy?
gpt
Candidly, it did, Mr. Sparling. It struck me as peculiar at the time, and, as I thought it over, I became more and more convinced that there was some reason for Jupiter's action beyond what we saw.
human
What do you think happened?
gpt
What do you think?
human
I will confess that I don't know, Phil. You had some reason for driving everyone away from the bulls there on the dock, did you not?
gpt
Yes, I did not want anyone to bother them while we were trying to get them on board.
human
I understand,
gpt
Did you notice who was there on the dock at the time, Mr. Sparling?
human
No, not particularly.
gpt
Was it some of the show people?
human
I am unable to say. I saw you drive two men off in particular, but I did not look at them closely. Did you know them?
gpt
Perhaps. They got away rather too quickly for me to make sure.
human
Who do you think they were?
gpt
Come, who were they, Phil?
human
I don't know, Mr. Sparling.
gpt
I did not mean it exactly that way. You think you recognized them, and as I said before, I want to know who you think the men were?
human
I would rather not say, Mr. Sparling,
gpt
It is your duty to tell me.
human
Not unless I am sure. It would be unjust to do so, and I know you would not wish to force me to be unjust.
gpt
You are a queer boy, Phil Forrest,
human
I wish I knew who I thought they were, if they had anything to do with my aerial flight last night, growled Teddy.
gpt
They would have reason to think a Kansas cyclone had struck them.
human
I will tell you what I think, however, Mr. Sparling,
gpt
That's what I am trying to get you to do.
human
I think some person with evil intent did something to Jupiter to anger him, thus causing him to turn on Teddy. And it is my opinion that if you will examine the animal you will find the evidences on the animal himself,