human
Well! Well! This is a coincidence! exclaimed the ringmaster.
gpt
I was just figuring with Sully here if we would get any nearer Milton than this, as I wanted to have a talk with you, and now here you are! How did it happen? Glad to see you, sir, and he shook hands with Mr. Howbridge.
human
I've been going to answer your letters, but I've been so busy I haven't had time. One of the elephants got loose and wrecked a farmer's barn, and I've had a damage suit to settle. But I am glad to see you both.
gpt
Tell me! exclaimed Neale eagerly.
human
Have you any news from father? Is he back from the Klondike? Where can I find him?
gpt
My! you're as bad as ever for asking questions, chuckled Mr. Bill Sorber.
human
But there! I know how it is! Yes, Neale, I have some real news, though there isn't much of it. I never see such a man as your father for not sending word direct. But maybe he did, and it miscarried. Anyhow, I've been trying to get in touch with him ever since I got your letter, Mr. Howbridge,
gpt
Yes, your father has come back from the Klondike, he resumed to Neale.
human
He put in his time to good advantage there, I hear, and made some money. Then he set out for the States, and, in an indirect way, I learned that he is located in Trumbull.
gpt
Trumbull? Where's that?
human
It's a small town on Lake Macopic!
gpt
Do you know the place? went on the ringmaster.
human
I must confess I don't. I tried to look it up to see if it was worth moving there with the show, but I couldn't even find it on the map. So it must be pretty small.
gpt
I don't know exactly where it is, the lawyer said.
human
But the fact of the matter is that we are on our way to Lake Macopic in a houseboat, and it is quite a coincidence that Neale's father should be there. Can you give us any further particulars?
gpt
Well, not many, confessed Mr. Sorber.
human
Mr. O'Neil isn't much more on letter writing than I am, and that isn't saying much. But my information is to the effect that he had to go there to clear up some dispute he and his mining partner had. He was in with some men in the Klondike, and when it came to a settlement of the gold they had dug out there was a dispute, I believe. One of the men lived in Trumbull, and your father, Neale, had to go there to settle the matter. But I am glad to see you! he went on to the former circus lad.
gpt
And after the show, which is about to begin, we can have a long talk, and then--