human
You talked as if the thing were a trifle, said the squire angrily.
gpt
It will cost us hundreds!
human
Yes, but it might cost us thousands if we let the scoundrels know how big a breach they have made in our works, and they would renew the attack at once.
gpt
Hah, there's something in that! said the squire, drawing his breath in angrily through his teeth.
human
If I only knew who was at the bottom of it! Marston, it must be the work of a gang among your men.
gpt
Think so?
human
I do.
gpt
But why should my men do such a dastardly act?
human
To make the job last longer.
gpt
Nonsense, my dear sir! We have work before us that will last us for years, for this drain is only the first of many.
human
Then who is it--who can it be?
gpt
I think I've got an insight to-night, said Marston.
human
Tom Tallington saw a couple of men coming along the road and creep to the edge of the mere.
gpt
True! I had forgotten that,
human
And that shows us that our enemies belong to a party somewhere at a distance, and that we should be wasting time in searching here. Hallo! who's this?
gpt
Why, it's Thorpeley, the constable!
human
Oh, it's you! said the squire gruffly.
gpt
Pity you weren't down here sooner.
human
Has it been an explosion, sir?
gpt
Yes,
human
Ah, I was going on to see! said the constable;