human
I hear that a detachment is getting ready to go over to look into that matter of the prisoner that Dick told us about,
gpt
I hope we're slated to go along with it,
human
Here comes the corp, remarked Bart.
gpt
Let's ask him. He'll probably be in charge of it.
human
I can guess what you're going to ask, he said with a smile;
gpt
To-morrow?
human
Sorry, said Wilson as he passed along,
gpt
And who knows what may happen to Tom in the meantime?
human
It's exasperating, said Frank.
gpt
It makes me crazy to think of another twenty-four hours going by while we're doing nothing to help him.
human
The only comfort is the confidence I have in Tom's luck, said Bart
gpt
That boy sure must have a rabbit's foot around him somewhere. He has as many lives as a cat. Do you remember how he got away from that drunken German bunch that had a rope all ready to hang him? And the slick way he got away in a barrel from the prison camp? I tell you that the bullet isn't molded that will kill that boy, and don't you forget it.
human
I only hope you're right, returned Frank.
gpt
All the same I'll feel a whole lot easier in my mind when the old scout is with us again.
human
Those things are getting a little too common to suit me, remarked Frank.
gpt
The health of the boys here used to be fine. Now they say that the hospitals are getting overcrowded.
human
And a good many of those who go in aren't coming out again, that's the worst of it, observed Billy.
gpt
That cemetery on the hill is getting altogether too full.
human
If this mysterious disease isn't checked it will be worse than the 'flu,' said Bart.
gpt
What's the matter with our doctors anyway? Why don't they get on the job?
human
You can't blame them, Frank defended.
gpt
There's no better medical staff in any army than the one we've got. They're working like mad to try to isolate the germ, or whatever it is, that's causing this mysterious trouble. But they seem to be all at sea in this matter. It's an entirely new thing, and they haven't found any way to conquer it.
human
It would be rather hard luck to come through St. Mihiel and the Argonne, and then to be knocked out by a measly disease like this,
gpt
Well, it hasn't got us yet, and let's hope it won't, said Frank.
human
But now that we've got a chance, what do you fellows say if we go over tonight and try to get at the bottom of that alley mystery? I shan't be easy in my mind until I've solved it.
gpt
Always looking for trouble, laughed Bart.
human
But I don't mind confessing that the matter's got tight hold of me too, and I'm game to see it through to a finish.
gpt
Count me in,
human
If only poor Tom were with us! mourned Frank
gpt
It's just the kind of thing he'd like to trail. And if there should happen to be any scrapping, he'd be a mighty handy lad to have along with us. He'd rather fight than eat any time.