human
Has this friend of your brother's--Brightwood, did you say his name was?--has he a seaplane?
gpt
Is that an airplane which flies up from the ocean and lights upon it when one wishes it to?
human
Yes.
gpt
He has one of those. Yes, I'm sure of it. He wanted to take me for a ride out over the sea last summer.
human
And is he what you would call a daring chap, ready to attempt anything?
gpt
Why, yes, he is; but--but how do you know so many things?
human
It is my duty to know.
gpt
Just received a telegram from an old and trusted friend who is on the coast of Maine. He says Vincent has been seen there within the last twenty-four hours. What that can mean I haven't the faintest notion. I should go there at once but business makes it entirely impossible.
human
Under one condition, said Curlie soberly,
gpt
I will go East and attempt to bring your son home. Indeed, I shall go anyway; have already arranged transportation, in fact, and leave in two hours; but it would please me if I might go with your approval.
human
You have arranged to go? The older man's face expressed his astonishment.
gpt
For what purpose?
human
On a commission for the government.
gpt
And you wish my permission for what?
human
To bring your son back with a warrant, under arrest.
gpt
Young man, he said slowly,
human
You are J. Anson Ardmore, one of the richest men of the Middle West.
gpt
And do you know that I could crush you with my influence?
human
No, sir, I do not. Curlie drew himself up to his full height.
gpt
Those days are gone forever. I am part of the United States government, the government which has made it possible for you to gain your wealth. Her laws must be obeyed. You could not crush me and, what is still more important, you have no notion of doing so.
human
What? The magnate's face became a study, then it broke into a smile.
gpt
I like your spirit, he said seizing Curlie's hand in a viselike grip.
human
You have the power of the law behind you; you need no consent of mine. But so be it; if my son has broken the law, he shall suffer the penalty.
gpt
There is one other matter, said Curlie soberly.
human
At the present moment it is merely a theory. I am unable to offer any worth-while proof for it, but it is my belief that your son and his chum, Alfred Brightwood, are considering a very perilous seaplane journey. Indeed, they may even at this moment be on their way. If that is true they should be followed at once in some swift traveling vessel, for they are almost certain to meet with disaster.
gpt
That Brightwood boy will be the death of us all yet, exploded the father.
human
For sheer foolhardy daring I have never known his equal. Time and again I have attempted to persuade Vincent to give up associating with him, but it has been of no avail. Alfred appears to hold some strange hypnotic power over him.
gpt
If what you say is true, and you find that they have already departed on this supposed journey, my private yacht is at your disposal. It lies in the mouth of the river at Landensport. The captain and engineer are on board. You will need no further crew. She is the fastest private engine-driven yacht afloat. If necessity demands, do not hesitate risking her destruction, but you will not, of course, endanger your own life.
human
All right; then I guess everything is settled. You will wire instructions to the captain of the yacht. I must hurry to my train.