human
Why, it's out at sea, said Tom in a whisper.
gpt
It can't be a wreck!
human
I know! cried Dick excitedly.
gpt
Smugglers and a king's ship!
human
I don't know, he said;
gpt
Yes. Did you hear a report?
human
Yes. Like a gun out at sea.
gpt
I heard a slight noise a little while ago, and I was listening when I saw a flash and heard the report. Mr Winthorpe, I'm afraid there's something wrong again.
human
No, no, man!
gpt
I'm afraid I must say, Yes, sir. That sound was not off the sea, but much nearer the house. Who's that?
human
Hallo! who's on that ladder? cried the squire, turning sharply round at the engineer's query.
gpt
Tom Tallington?
human
Yes, sir,
gpt
What are you doing here, sir? Is Dick there?
human
Yes, father.
gpt
What's the meaning of this, sir?
human
We saw a flash, father, and heard a report!
gpt
Where?
human
I think it must have been close to the outfall of the big drain, father.
gpt
There! you hear, said Mr Marston in a low voice.
human
There is something wrong!
gpt
Stop a moment, said the squire sternly.
human
You, Tom Tallington, why are you there?
gpt
Tell him, Tom,
human
Speak out, sir, cried the squire.
gpt
What are you whispering there, Dick?
human
I was asking him to tell you, father,
gpt
Once more, then, my lad, said the squire.
human
Why are you here?
gpt
I came to tell Dick, sir, that I had seen two men come from the town way past our place, and that I heard them get into a boat and go away across the mere.
human
You saw that?
gpt
Yes, sir.
human
Well, what of it? Why did you come and tell Dick that?
gpt
Because I thought there was something wrong, sir.
human
You hear?
gpt
Yes, I hear, muttered the squire,