human
I was crawling around after her, watching her as she went under the building when suddenly a soldier pounced on me and yelled that I was a German spy. I was never more surprised in all my life.
gpt
I should think you might be! laughed Ned.
human
Then what happened?
gpt
Well, they handled me rather roughly, and took me into custody, as I suppose it is called. They seemed to think Ticula's box was an infernal machine. They were very much excited, and I was trying to explain to them who I was, when Ticula suddenly crawled up through a hole in the floor in the building where I was being questioned.
human
And then there was more excitement, I suppose,
gpt
There was--considerable, admitted the professor.
human
Then you boys came in, and--well, it's all over now. But I surely feared for a moment they might shoot my snake.
gpt
Yes, it was rather a close call, observed Bob.
human
But did you have a good dinner with the colonel?
gpt
Listen to him, would you! protested Ned.
human
All he can think of is eating!
gpt
Cut it out! growled Bob, as Ned poked him in the ribs.
human
I just wanted to know what sort of feed they give the officers.
gpt
Oh, said Jerry significantly.
human
Merely an academic interest, I suppose.
gpt
Sure! assented Bob.
human
That's all.
gpt
Well, the dinner was very good, though I cannot say that I remember what I ate, confessed the professor.
human
I was thinking too much of something else.
gpt
Do you mean you were puzzled as to how to study the effect of the noises of the French battlefields on grasshoppers and crickets?
human
No, and the professor shook his head.
gpt
This is an altogether different problem. It is, as I might call it, the problem of two girls.
human
Two girls! cried the three Motor Boys in a chorus.
gpt
Two girls?
human
Two girls, repeated the little scientist.
gpt
The problem I have to solve concerns two girls.
human
Whew! softly whistled Jerry.
gpt
Can it be possible that our dear friend is in love--and with two girls at once? This is getting serious!