human
Come over here, Sam! There's no need of your bobbin' 'round in that style, 'cause nobody is in the alley except a couple of little kids, who wouldn't be very much frightened if you walked right up on 'em.
gpt
Don't you know any better'n to break up what a feller's fixin'? he asked angrily as he stood before Seth and Dan.
human
I was doin' some mighty fine work, an' you've spoiled it all by yellin' so loud. Now the folks in there know I'm 'round, an' won't so much as show theirselves.
gpt
Do you reckon they believe you're a detective?
human
Of course I do! Sam replied hotly.
gpt
Folks have heard of me before this, an' it stands me in hand to keep out of sight all I can.
human
Who did you think was in the alley?
gpt
I'm lookin' for more'n one in this town, an' counted on finishin' up two or three little jobs in the detective line before I lighted out to nab Jip Collins.
human
Do you know where he is?
gpt
What kind of a detective do you allow I am if I don't know that? I've got it all figgered out, an' most likely I'll take a spin over to Philadelphy to-night. If I do, you'll see him in court to-morrow mornin'.
human
Oh, has he gone over there?
gpt
That's about the size of it; but he needn't think he can run away from me.
human
Look here, Sam, and now Seth spoke in a serious tone;
gpt
Jip didn't try to hurt anybody but Dan an' me, an' we don't want you to bother him. We're willin' to give him a fair show, 'cause he'll take a big turn after this.
human
I can't help what you want, the detective replied obstinately.
gpt
When I know that a feller has been burnin' up houses it's my business to run him in, an' I'm goin' to do it.
human
What is it to you, so long as we're satisfied?
gpt
See here, ain't I a detective?
human
I ain't so certain of that,
gpt
I guess other people know it if you don't, 'cause I've had more'n one case in this town. Now, so long as that is my business I'm bound to take up anythin' I hear about, an'----
human
Other detectives don't do that; they wait till the chief sends 'em out, or somebody hires 'em.
gpt
That would be all right if I was on the force; but so long as I ain't it stands me in hand to work my way along, same's Seth's tryin' to do in the Fire Department. If I can catch Jip Collins and send him up the river, it'll be a big feather in my cap.
human
Would you be willin' to send a feller to jail so's you might get ahead in the business?
gpt
Course I would.
human
Ain't there anythin' we can do to stop you from tryin' to run Jip down?
gpt
You might talk till you was black in the face, an' then I wouldn't let up.