human
Gracious me! What made you think that the bicycle would be returned?
gpt
Common sense, replied the girl, with a light laugh.
human
It suddenly occurred to me that it was just as likely the Major would go out at midnight to the cycle shed as to the barn, for we know that he could have no reason for visiting the latter----
gpt
Wait, Laurence interrupted.
human
You are wrong there. He might wish to see the mysterious creature who displayed gymnastic tricks for my sole benefit the night before last.
gpt
My dear Mr. Carrington, replied Lena (and she used that title only because she wished to see his look of regret),
human
You astound me, Miss Scott, replied Laurence;
gpt
You silly boy, answered Lena, with ill-disguised mirth,
human
Ah! Then you think that cry proceeded from the mouth of the person whom I encountered on the moor and again in the barn?
gpt
Well, it certainly appears to me that there is something similar in your description of the two sounds. But you yourself can judge better of that than I can.
human
Yes; but why should this horrible creature scream as I was leaving the Dene, and if Smith is my father's would-be murderer, who is the person that used the barn as its headquarters?
gpt
If you knew that, Laurence, there would probably be no mystery at all. It is as to these points we have yet to decide.
human
Then, do you mean that, in your opinion, the creature in the barn was not the attempted assassin?