human
How do you do, Earl? said Tom Roland, familiarly, as soon as the boys appeared.
gpt
It's queer we should be on the same train, isn't it?
human
It is queer, answered Earl, stiffly, taken aback by the greeting.
gpt
Where are you bound?
human
Guardley and I are going to try our luck in the West. Say, I heard you boys were bound for Alaska. Is that true?
gpt
Yes.
human
It costs a heap to go there--didn't know you had so much money,
gpt
And I didn't know you had any money for a Western trip,
human
Oh, Tom here is seeing me through,
gpt
Guardley has done me several good turns, and it wouldn't be fair for me to turn my back on him, finished Tom Roland.
human
We are going right through to San Francisco. How about yourselves?
gpt
We stop off at New York,
human
It's a pity we can't travel together--
gpt
Roland, did you pick up a letter belonging to me?
human
A letter belonging to you? he repeated.
gpt
No. Where did you lose it?
human
Somewhere around Basco. Did you see it, Guardley?
gpt
Was it important?
human
Very,
gpt
What do you think?
human
I don't know what to think. It's mighty queer the pair should leave Basco in such a hurry.
gpt
We left in a hurry. But we had a good reason.
human
And they may have--a reason most folks don't look for.
gpt
Do you think they left on account of some crooked work?
human
That would probably be Jasper Guardley's reason for getting away. But it's not our affair, and we have enough other matters to think of, concluded Earl, after a pause.
gpt
When we get to New York we'll be like stray cattle in a hundred-acre lot. We must look out not to get lost, and above all things not to lose our money.
human
And engage the cheapest and quickest passage to San Francisco, said Randy.
gpt
Let us look over those folders before it gets too late. It's too dark to see much outside.