human
I presume I should have stood my ground and given battle to them, if for no other reason than to find out who they were,
gpt
Phil Forrest, you should have done nothing of the sort, answered Mr. Sparling sharply.
human
You take quite enough risk as it is. You think the plot now is to tamper with the big net?
gpt
Yes, sir.
human
Is it possible that such scoundrels are traveling with the Sparling shows?
gpt
I wish I did not think so.
human
Phil, it is not the man who was responsible for several accidents the first year you were with us, is it?
gpt
No, sir, answered the boy flushing a little.
human
That man is no longer with the show.
gpt
I thought so. Now I have him located.
human
The--the man I saw tonight--you know him?
gpt
No. I did not mean that. I refer to the fellow who nearly caused your death three years ago.
human
Oh!
gpt
You had some trouble with Diaz a short time ago, did you not?
human
Yes.
gpt
Where is Diaz tonight?
human
In his stateroom, or else out on deck.
gpt
Are you sure?
human
What time did he return from the lot?
gpt
He was here when I went on deck. He came to the boat directly after the performance.
human
You are sure of this?
gpt
I am.
human
You are a very shrewd young man, sir, said Mr. Sparling, with a mirthless smile.
gpt
However, these guilty men must be found and punished. You think their first efforts will be directed toward the net?
human
Yes, according to what I overheard. I have an idea, however, that they will not do so at once, fearing they may have been recognized, or at any rate that their plans are known to someone else.
gpt
Do you think they recognized you?
human
I do not. I did not speak. I was on the point of doing so, then checked myself.
gpt
Right! You are one in a hundred. I will have a watch kept on the net, and an examination made of it before every performance.
human
I am not afraid for myself.
gpt
No, that's your greatest failing. You are not afraid of anything and you take very long chances. I hope you will be more cautious in the future. You must be careful, Phil, and you had better caution your partner, Teddy Tucker. Does he know of this?
human
No, but I intend to tell him. He is more interested in the possibility of recovering his egg than in any personal danger to himself or to me,
gpt
Keep your eyes open, and take care of yourself. If we fail to get a clue by the time we get to Des Moines I shall send to St. Louis for the best detective they have and put him on the case. Perhaps it would be best to do so now.
human
I think--