human
Blamed if I can tell, Bob, what a detective would do, replied Tom.
gpt
You see I ain't no natural detective like you. But I should think he'd swoop down on the den and scoop it.
human
And that's what you think a reg'lar detective would do?
gpt
Yes. I don't see nothin' else for him to do.
human
Well, how would he do it?
gpt
I ain't no detective, Bob, so I don't know.
human
I didn't s'pose you did know, Tom Flannery, so now I'll tell you, said Bob, who had seized upon his companion's suggestion.
gpt
A regular detective, if he was in my place, and had you to help him, would do jest what I'm going to do, and that is to send you into the den first, to see what you can find out.
human
Send me in?
gpt
Yes, that's what I said, wasn't it?
human
And that's what a reg'lar detective would do?
gpt
Yes.
human
And that's what you're goin' to do?
gpt
Yes, of course it is. Why wouldn't I do the same as any other detective? That's what I want to know.
human
Of course you would, Bob, but I couldn't do nothin' if I should go in,
gpt
You can do what I tell you to, can't you?
human
I don't know nothin' about it, any way, I tell you,
gpt
Tom Flannery, I wouldn't er believed that you would back out this way,
human
Well, I don't want to be a detective no way. I don't care nothin' about my name bein' in the paper.
gpt
You hain't got no ambition. If you had, you'd show some spunk now. 'Tain't often a feller has a chance to get into a case like this one is.
human
Well, I don't care if it ain't, that's what I say.
gpt
I thought you wanted to be a detective, and couldn't wait, hardly, for me to work up the case.
human
Well, I didn't think I'd have to climb into places like this old Gunwagner's. 'Tain't what I call bein' a detective no way.
gpt
You make me tired, Tom Flannery. You get the foolishest notions into your head of any boy I ever see.
human
Well, I don't care if I do. I know plenty detectives don't do nothin' like this. They jest dress up and play the gentleman, that's what they do.
gpt
And that's the kind of a detective you want to be, is it?
human
Yes, it is; there ain't no danger about that kind of bein' a detective.
gpt
Tom, you'd look great tryin' to be a gentleman, wouldn't you? I'd like to see you, Tom Flannery, a gentleman! said Bob, derisively.
human
It makes me sick, such talk.
gpt
Bob, said he,
human
It wouldn't be reg'lar professional like, and then there wouldn't be no style about it.