human
And that's all I know, said Jack, finally, when he had carried the tale to the point where Harry rode off on the repaired motorcycle in pursuit of Ernest Graves.
gpt
I should think you might really know more about it now than I do.
human
Why, how could I? You saw it all!
gpt
Yes, that's true enough. But you know Harry and I were too busy to talk much after we found that motor was out of order. All I know is that when we got here we found someone I'd never seen before and never want to see again messing about with the cycles. We thought it must be you, of course--at least Harry did, and of course I supposed he ought to know.
human
And then you found it was Ernest Graves?
gpt
Harry did. He took one look at him--and then they started right in fighting. Harry seemed to be sure that was the thing to do. If I'd been in his place, I'd have tried to arbitrate, I think. This chap Graves was a lot bigger than he. He was carrying weight for age. You see, I don't know yet who Graves is, or why Harry wanted to start fighting him that way. I've been waiting patiently for you to come along, so that you could tell me.
human
He's a sneak! declared Dick, vehemently.
gpt
I suppose you know that Harry's an American, don't you?
human
Yes, but that's nothing against him.
gpt
Of course it isn't! But this Graves is the biggest and oldest chap in our troop--he isn't in our patrol. And he thought that if any of us were going to be chosen for special service, he ought to have the first chance. So when they picked Harry and me, he began talking about Harry's being an American. He tried to act as if he thought it wasn't safe for anyone who wasn't English to be picked out!
human
It looks as if he had acted on that idea, too, doesn't it, then? It seems to me that he has followed you down here, just to get a chance to play some trick on you. He got those papers, you see. And I fancy you'll be blamed for losing them.
gpt
How did he know we were here? said Dick, suddenly.
human
That's what I'd like to know!
gpt
Yes, it would be a good thing to find that out, said Jack, thoughtfully.
human
Well, it will be hard to do. But we might find out how he got here. I know this village and the country all around here pretty well. And Gaffer Hodge will know, if anyone does. He's the most curious man in the world. Come on--we'll see what he has to say.
gpt
Who is he?
human
You went through the village this afternoon, didn't you? Didn't you see a very old man with white hair and a stick beside him, sitting in a doorway next to the little shop by the Red Dog?
gpt
Yes.
human
That's Gaffer Hodge. He's the oldest man in these parts. He can remember the Crimean War and--oh, everything! He must be over a hundred years old. And he watches everyone who comes in. If a stranger is in the village he's never happy until he knows all about him. He was awfully worried to-day about you and Harry, I heard,
gpt
Well, I do hope he can tell us something about Graves. The sneak! I certainly hope Harry catches up to him. Do you think he can?
human
Well, he might, if he was lucky. He said the cycle he was riding was faster than the other one. But of course it would be very hard to tell just which way to go. If Graves knew there was a chance that he might be followed he ought to be able to give anyone who was even a mile behind the slip.
gpt
Of course it's at night and that makes it harder for Harry.
human
Yes, I suppose it does. In the daytime Harry could find people to tell him which way Graves was going, couldn't he?
gpt
Yes. That's just what I meant.
human
Oh, I say, won't Gaffer Hodge be in bed and asleep?
gpt
I don't think so. He doesn't seem to like to go to bed. He sits up very late, and talks to the men when they start to go home from the Red Dog. He likes to talk, you see. We'll soon know--that's one thing. We'll be there now in no time.