human
Ain't you got him?
gpt
No, he gave us the slip. The moon has gone under a cloud, and in the darkness he got away. But we'll catch him yet.
human
Boy, he queried,
gpt
Yes, I have.
human
Who do you think he is?
gpt
I would rather not say,
human
Why?
gpt
Because I might be wronging an innocent man.
human
But we want to find the thief.
gpt
I cannot help you do that. If the man is the one I think he may be, he did not steal the horses.
human
Why did he accuse you, then?
gpt
Merely to satisfy a private grudge.
human
Then he ought to be found and punished; so why do you try to shield him?
gpt
Because it is my private affair, replied Al, quietly.
human
And because I do not like your way of administering what you call justice. See how near you came to making a mistake to-night. But how did you run across the fellow who said I was the thief?
gpt
I'll tell you, replied the spokesman, rather sheepishly.
human
A few of us were in a saloon in Boomville the early part of the evening. We had indulged in a few drinks, and we must have talked a little louder than we realized, for this fellow overheard us telling how we were going to start a search for the horse thief to-night and string him up if we found him. He came and told us that he could lead us to him. Well, he talked as if he knew what he was saying, and---- Well, you know the rest.
gpt
So, said Al,
human
We were excited and had drunk a little too much.
gpt
Well, it seems to me that you had better leave the future management of the business to the proper authorities,
human
Maybe you're right, admitted the man he addressed.
gpt
Well, you won't say anything about this night's affair to anyone?
human
I shall say nothing that can harm you. The thing shall not be made public through me.
gpt
We'll take your word for that. And now, get into the wagon, and you shall be driven home.