human
Phil?
gpt
Yes, sir.
human
You have not told me everything, yet.
gpt
What makes you think that, Mr. Sparling?
human
Because I know you so well. There is something on your mind that you have not told me. I want to know what it is.
gpt
What is it you wish me to tell you, Mr. Sparling?
human
You have not given me a satisfactory explanation of how you came to get into the river.
gpt
Perhaps I fell in,
human
Perhaps. But you have not said so. I want you to tell me how you did get in.
gpt
I think I was thrown in, Mr. Sparling,
human
Thrown in! exclaimed the showman, leaping to his feet, his face working convulsively in his effort to control his emotions.
gpt
Phil Forrest, do you mean that?
human
I do.
gpt
Is it possible?
human
I am sure of it, sir.
gpt
Had anyone but you told me that I should have laughed. I know I can depend upon what you say. Tell me more about it?
human
As I have already said, I was leaning on the rail and dropped off into a doze. How long I had been in that position I do not know. I could not have been there many minutes, or I should have gone so soundly asleep that I would have fallen over to the deck, you know.
gpt
Yes, yes.
human
All at once I felt myself being lifted. At first, as I remember it, the sensation was as if the deck were dropping from under me. As I recalled the incident afterwards, I realized that I had been lifted. You know all that occurred after that.
gpt
Was there more than one who threw you overboard?
human
I am unable to say. I did not even see one, said Phil with a half-smile.
gpt
I felt myself being lifted--that's all. The next minute I was in the river, with the 'Marie' pounding away downstream at a lively clip.
human
Dastardly! Dastardly! growled the showman.
gpt
I shall send for a detective to meet us in Memphis tomorrow. This thing has gone far enough.
human
I think I agree with you, sir, was Phil's half-humorous answer.
gpt
But I had been in hopes of solving this mystery myself.
human
Yes, and you came near losing your life as the result. No, sir! This thing must be cleared up at once. I shall wire to St. Louis now, and we will have a man with us sometime tomorrow. Say nothing to anyone of my plan. The detective will join the show in some capacity or other, and have regular duties to perform. You will know him, but no one else will except myself. I think the Roman races are about due under the big top now. Suppose you go in and change your clothes, joining me at my table after you come out. We will talk these matters over at length this evening. When the officer reaches here I shall expect you to tell him freely all that you know as well as what you suspect. Keep nothing from him. Run along, Phil. I want to think this matter over by myself for a few minutes.