human
Yes,
gpt
They grabbed me first while I was down at the landing, put in Bud, who was almost as impatient to tell the story as Cub was to hear it.
human
I went down there when I saw a rowboat pulling up and didn't recognize the men in it until they came ashore. I thought they were still on the island, for when they left us a few hours before, they didn't go toward the landing, and we didn't see them go toward it since then. I hollered when they grabbed me, and Hal came rushing to see what was the matter.
gpt
Yes, and then I ran back to the radio table and telegraphed to Max Handy at Rockport, added Hal, taking up the narrative at this point and indicating a disposition to volunteer details more readily.
human
While I was still in the act of sending, two of the them appeared and seized me. They took me into their rowboat with Bud at the landing and rowed to a yacht almost a duplicate of Mr. Perry's. We were confined in the cabin until after dark and then put ashore on an island half a mile from here. That was the last we saw of them.
gpt
But how did you get away?
human
We flagged a motor boat just a little while ago. There were two men and two boys in it. We told them our story and they volunteered to bring us back here and see if you had returned. Hello, Uncle James, addressing Mr. Baker and seizing the latter by the hand.
gpt
I didn't recognize you at first, though I knew you were coming.
human
Where is Alvin? asked Mr. Baker anxiously.
gpt
Didn't you see him on the island over there?
human
No, Hal replied with a look and tone of surprise.
gpt
That is another desert island--not a person there.
human
What does that mean? demanded Mr. Baker, turning to the prisoner.
gpt
You told us all three of the boys that you took away from here were together on that island over there.
human
I didn't mean that,
gpt
Well, what did you mean?
human
I meant they were on two islands not far apart; the other fellow is on the island a little further on.
gpt
Is that motor boat that brought you here down at the landing yet?
human
Yes,
gpt
I wonder if we couldn't induce them to make a run over to the island where this fellow says he left my son and bring him here.
human
I think they'd be glad to do it, Bud replied.
gpt
They seemed to be very much interested in this affair and offered to do anything they could to help us.
human
All right; suppose you go down there and tell them the situation. I suppose we could wait till Mr. Perry gets back, but I can't stand any delay that isn't absolutely necessary.
gpt
Why, where has your father gone, Cub?
human
He started out to get police help, answered the boy addressed.
gpt
His first call was to be at Rockport, but no doubt he'll come right back here when he gets the message I sent for him. I telegraphed to our wireless friend, Max Handy, and asked him to go down to the docks and tell father what happened since he left. He's on the way now; maybe he's talking to father this minute.
human
What was it that happened?
gpt
I thought when I just saw you come up from the landing that they had released you according to agreement, he added;
human
No, they didn't have anything to do with it,
gpt
You'd better tell the truth about where my son is, warned Mr. Baker, addressing the prisoner.
human
I won't stand any more trifling from you.
gpt
He's there unless somebody took him off the island, same as these boys were taken off the island we put them on, declared
human
Well, it'll be an unhappy circumstance for you if we don't find any evidence of their having been there,
gpt
I think we'd better take him along with us, said Hal.
human
Then there'll be no doubt about our going to the right island. Come on, Bud; let's go down to the boat and tell Mr. Leland and Mr. White what we want to do.