human
I was greatly surprised, when the will was made public, to learn that I was to have half the professor's not inconsiderable wealth, on a certain condition.
gpt
And what condition?
human
That condition is as follows. I am to seek out these two nieces of my dead friend and give them each a fourth of his estate. The other half I am to have for myself if I fulfill the trust. That is, I get it if I can succeed in finding the two girls, and I need not tell you that I shall be very glad of the large sum of money--not for myself, oh, no! said Professor Snodgrass quickly,
gpt
And where are the girls?
human
Somewhere in Germany or France, was the answer.
gpt
The latter country, I think. I have, among my papers, their last address. But since the war there is no telling where I may find them. I have written a number of letters, but have had no answers. Now I must go to seek them, and, at the same time, make a study of the effect of battle noises on crickets and grasshoppers. Is it any wonder that I seem puzzled? Was there ever such a hard problem for a peace-loving scientist to solve?
human
It isn't going to be easy, admitted Ned.
gpt
Then you really expect to go across?
human
Yes. And since I understand you are going, we may go together; or at least meet there, for I suppose I shall not be allowed on a transport, being a civilian.
gpt
Hardly, assented Jerry.
human
But if, as you say, you have passports and credentials and letters of introduction, it may be arranged. You had better see our colonel. He seems to have taken quite a notion to you.
gpt
Thank you; I will, promised the scientist.
human
And now I think I had better go back and see about Ticula and Pete Bumps. Pete may be worried about me.
gpt
Just a moment, suggested Ned.
human
If we are to help you in the search for these two girls, we ought to know something more about them.
gpt
That is right, assented the professor;
human
he hastily added,
gpt
Indeed we will! cried Jerry.
human
But how are we to go about it? What part of France were the girls last in?
gpt
And what are their names?
human
And what do they look like?
gpt
That last question I can answer first, said the professor.
human
I happen to have recent pictures of them. They sent them to their uncle following the deaths of their parents, and after the reconciliation, and Professor Petersen left them to me, with certain other material, documents and such, to aid me in the search. Here are the girls--their names are Gladys Petersen and Dorothy Gibbs.
gpt
That isn't it, he murmured.
human
Those are some dried specimens of _ameba_ that I wish to study under a microscope.
gpt
What are _ameba_? asked Jerry.
human
Fish?
gpt
Not exactly, answered the professor with a smile,