human
Don't be so nervous and fussy, said Ruth to Agnes.
gpt
Mr. Howbridge won't like it. He will think we don't care for the trip, and--
human
Oh, I like the trip all right, broke in Agnes.
gpt
It's just the idea of staying all night in this lonely place.
human
We have plenty of protectors, asserted Ruth.
gpt
There's Neale and--
human
What's that?
gpt
Agnes was saying she was timid, went on Ruth, for Mr. Howbridge had gone to the dining-room for a glass of milk Mrs. MacCall had suggested he take before going to bed.
human
I tell her with you and Mr. Howbridge and Hank to protect us--
gpt
Aggie timid! Oh, yes, we'll look after you! he promised with a laugh.
human
At the same time--Oh, well, I guess Hank won't stay late,
gpt
You seem worried, said Agnes to her friend when they were alone for a moment.
human
Do you think these men--those Klondikers--are likely to make trouble?
gpt
No, not exactly that, Neale answered.
human
To tell you the truth I was thinking of Hank. I may as well tell you, he went on.
gpt
I didn't see any connection between the two happenings before, but since you mentioned those men there may be.
human
What are you driving at?
gpt
Just this-- answered Neale.
human
But let's call Ruth. Ruth came and then Neale continued:
gpt
Hank suddenly dropped his tools when we were working over the motor and said he was going for a walk. He also mentioned fishing. I didn't think much of it at the time, for he may be odd that way when it comes to a steady job. But now I begin to think he may have gone off to meet those men.
human
But he didn't meet them, Ruth said.
gpt
We saw them speed away in motor boat alone.
human
They may have met Hank later,
gpt
But what makes you suspicious of him?
human
I'll tell you.
gpt
Oh, do you think it could be one of ours that the men took? Do you think Hank is in with them, and wants his share of the 'swag' as one man called it?
human
I don't know, I'm sure, answered Neale.
gpt
But he certainly had a ring. It rolled to the deck and he picked it up quickly enough.
human
Say, Ruthie! exclaimed Agnes impulsively,
gpt
I'd rather not, she remarked.
human
I couldn't bear to do that. I'd much rather accuse him openly. But we won't even do that now. We'll just watch and wait, and we won't even tell Mr. Howbridge until we are more sure of our ground.
gpt
All right,