human
Might as well look for a needle in a haystack, muttered Tom Bradford.
gpt
We don't even know the direction from which the shot came. You can bet that skunk made tracks as soon as he fired.
human
It was a mighty close call for you, Tom, remarked Billy.
gpt
A half inch closer and you would have been a goner.
human
It would have been hard luck to have been laid out now after having come through that Argonne fighting alive, grumbled Tom.
gpt
I'd just like to have my hands right now on the cowardly Heinie who tried to snuff me out.
human
Don't you see, Bart, that I was right when I told you that trouble was brewing?
gpt
I guess you were, old man.
human
It's because we've been too confoundedly easy with these fellows, snorted Billy wrathfully.
gpt
We've gone on the theory that if we treated 'em white and gave 'em a square deal they'd appreciate it and behave themselves. We might have known better.
human
The French and English know these ginks better than we do, and they've put the boots into them from the start, growled Tom.
gpt
There's been no namby-pamby dealing with the Huns in the bridge- heads where they've held control. They've made the Boches walk Spanish. If they didn't uncover when the flag went by, they knocked their hats off for them. They know that the only argument that a Hun understands is force, and they've gone on that theory right along. And as a consequence the Heinies don't dare to peep in the districts where the French and English run things. We ought to take a leaf from their books and do the same.
human
That's our good-natured American way of doing things, said Bart.
gpt
But we're due to stiffen up a bit now. We're not going to stand for attempts to murder in cold blood--
human
Quiet, fellows,
gpt
See anything?
human
I thought I caught a glimpse of a fellow stealing into that alley half-way down the block, returned Frank.
gpt
And there goes another one,
human
I was looking that way and I didn't see anything,
gpt
I'd bank on Frank, returned Bart.
human
He has the best eyes of any of us. They're regular telescopes.
gpt
There goes another! exclaimed Frank tensely.
human
There's something doing there, sure as guns!
gpt
I know that alley, said Tom Bradford.
human
I've often looked into it when I passed it on my beat. But it's a blind alley and doesn't lead to any thing. It ends at a brick wall.
gpt
All the better chance to bag them, replied Frank.
human
We'll wait just a minute longer to see If any one else goes in, and then we'll go down and nip the whole bunch. It's against regulations for them to be on the streets at this hour, and you can bet they're up to no good.
gpt
I only hope the fellow's among them that fired that shot,
human
Have your clubs and pistols ready, but don't use the guns unless you have to, he ordered, for when the Army Boys were together the leadership by common consent devolved on Frank.
gpt
I guess the clubs will do the business if it comes to any resistance on their part.
human
Fists would be enough,