human
Get him! Don't let the spy escape!
gpt
Yes! Let's see you get him--with that snake for a protector,
human
I don't mind getting shot at by a German, said a voice,
gpt
Shoot the snake!
human
No, please don't, I beg of you! pleaded the little man in a mild voice that, somehow, carried to the far end of the room.
gpt
Please don't shoot the most valuable snake I ever owned. Really she is quite harmless; aren't you, Ticula?
human
Ticula! burst out Ned.
gpt
Is that her name, Professor Snodgrass?
human
Ha! It seems there is some one here who knows me, he said.
gpt
I cannot see him, but I seem to recognize the voice.
human
I should think you would, chuckled Ned.
gpt
We've traveled with you often enough, Professor. But this is a new one--a pet snake as long as a lasso.
human
And named Ticula!
gpt
Oh, that is only a name I made up for her out of her own proper, Latin one, explained the professor.
human
Her real name is _Python Reticulatus_; but I call her Ticula for short. And, unless I am greatly mistaken, it was Jerry Hopkins who spoke to me that time. Am I right?
gpt
You are right, Professor, said Jerry.
human
And we are as much surprised to see you here as to 'meet up' with your snake, as the folks in the South say. What brought you here?
gpt
referred to--a sudden movement on the part of the snake made it necessary for him to devote some attention to his