human
By the way, Master Long!
gpt
Yes, sir?
human
You said you thought those men surveying back of Stresch & Potter's the day before the burglary, were working for the railroad?
gpt
That's what I thought, sir. I gathered it from what they said.
human
And so they were. They were from the engineer's office of the C, P. & L. We found 'em. They had nothing to do with the robbery.
gpt
I didn't think they had. These two dagoes know about the robbery, though!
human
I guess they do! I guess they do! repeated the detective.
gpt
And the money stolen from Stresch & Potter was in that soldered can. We got it. We got the men. And the five hundred dollars will be divided between this office and you boys.
human
Not me! cried Chet.
gpt
It belongs to Billy. He dived and found the can. And--and I rather think he's paid for his reward by what he went through over there on Cavern Island.
human
Perhaps that's so,
gpt
But tell me, sir! cried Billy, eagerly,
human
Ha! that puzzled us a bit until one of our sharp young men watched Tony putting that monkey of his through its tricks. Then we all saw a great light.
gpt
Great Scott! And so do I see a light!
human
Me, too, grumbled Billy.
gpt
But why didn't I guess it before and save myself all that trouble I had?
human
The monkey is the guilty party, said the detective.
gpt
The bigger Italian is a famous safe-cracker. He hired Tony Allegretto and his monkey to help him get into the building, and to watch outside. Then the two men quarreled as to the division of the loot after it was hidden. But they are both in jail, now--and the monkey, too. But Mr. Monk will never have a chance to open his master's cell-door again. Now, you'll hear all about this later, boys, and you will both have to testify when the case comes to trial. That's all.
human
Huh! exclaimed Short and Long, as he went away with Chet,
gpt
How's that?
human
Why, I needn't have made such a Jack of myself as to run away and hide over there on the island. Father's said a-plenty to me about it. He says that any boy who runs away instead of, facing the music makes himself appear guilty right at the start.
gpt
Well--I--don't--know, said his friend, slowly.
human
Certain sure you worried your folks a whole lot--and worried your friends, too.
gpt
I never thought of that.
human
I s'pose not. That detective chasing you up so, was what scared you.
gpt
And you'd have been scared, too. He said he could put me in jail. Now, I'd just as soon be half starved over there on Cavern Island as to be in jail,
human
Say! One thing you got out of it young fellow, said Chet, suddenly, with a laugh.
gpt
And you wouldn't have got that if you hadn't run away.
human
Oh! do you really think they'll give me part of the reward?
gpt
Of course they will. They'll have to. Father will have his lawyer 'tend to that for you, Billy. The police sha'n't cheat you out of your rights.
human
Then, cried Billy, delight showing in his face.
gpt
I tell you what's going to happen if I get all that money.
human
What?
gpt
Alice is going back to Central High to finish out her last year. You know, she would have graduated two years ago this June if it hadn't been for her having to stay home to 'tend to the kids. She shall come back. I know she wants to be a teacher, and without her High School certificate she cannot go to Normal.
human
Well, you're a good kind of a kid, after all, Billy, said Chet Belding.
gpt
Even if you are full of tickle,
human
Thanks, sniffed Billy Long.
gpt
Did you think that nobody but _you_ appreciates a good sister? Lemme tell you, Mother Wit isn't the only girl around these corners that's as good as any boy alive!
human
That's sure a backhand compliment, he said.
gpt
Most of the girls of Central High think they're a whole lot better than the boys.
human
And gee! Ain't they?