human
Now, what's all this about? growled one of the men.
gpt
What's the game?
human
You'll find out soon enough, declared the constable.
gpt
Are either of these the men you spoke of?
human
Yes, those two are the ones that several times went off in a hurry in the motor boat, said Mr. Howbridge.
gpt
But I can not identify them as the ones who took the jewelry. Ruth and Agnes Kenway will have to do that.
human
It's all up. They got us right!
gpt
Come on now lively, men! cried Constable Newcomb.
human
Search this place, gather up what evidence you can, and we'll take 'em to jail.
gpt
Are there any others?
human
I guess we have the main ones, anyhow, answered Mr. Newcomb.
gpt
Oh, look at this bunch of stuff! he cried, as he threw back the dirty blankets of one of the bunks.
human
They've been robbing right and left.
gpt
There it is! The jewelry case I gave Miss Ruth! These men were either the thieves or they know something about the robbery. See if anything is left in the box.
human
Well, there's a good part of it, the lawyer remarked.
gpt
It will need Ruth and Agnes to tell just what is missing.
human
Klondikers.
gpt
Father! cried the boy.
human
Don't you know me?
gpt
It's Neale--my son! was the gasping exclamation.
human
How in the world did you get here? I was just about to start for Milton to look you up.
gpt
Well, I guess, before you do, we'll look you up a bit, and maybe lock you up, also, said the constable dryly.
human
Do you belong to the Klondike bunch?
gpt
Well, yes, I might say that I do; or rather that I did. said Neale's father, and though the boy gasped in dismay, Mr. O'Neil smiled.
human
I understand the crowd has been captured,
gpt
Yes. And you may consider yourself captured also! snapped out the officer.
human
Jim, a pair of handcuffs here!
gpt
One moment! interposed Mr. Howbridge, with a glance at Neale.
human
I represent this man, officer. I'll supply bail for him--
gpt
Thank you, he said.
human
Your offer is kind, and I appreciate it. But I shan't need bail. I believe you received a letter telling you to make this raid, did you not?
gpt
I did, was the answer.
human
It was that letter which gave us the clue to the robbers. I'd like to meet the man who wrote it. He said he would give evidence against the rascals.
gpt
Who signed that letter?
human
I have it here. I can show you, offered Mr. Newcomb.
gpt
It was signed by a man named O'Neil, he added as he produced the document.
human
He said he'd meet us here, but--
gpt
Well, he has met you. I'm O'Neil, broke in the other.
human
And it was I who gave you the information.
gpt
Oh, Father! cried Neale,
human
I'm not one of the thieves; though I admit my living here among them made it look so, said Mr. O'Neil.
gpt
It is easily explained. One of the men made a fraudulent claim to part of a mine I own in Alaska, and I had to remain in his company until I could disprove his statements. This I have done. The matter is all cleared up, and I concluded it was time to hand the rascals over to the law. So I sent the letter to the authorities, and I'm glad it is all ended.
human
So am I! cried Neale.
gpt
Then you did strike it rich after all?
human
No, not exactly rich, Son. I was pretty lucky, though, and I struck pay dirt in the Klondike. I wrote your Uncle Bill about it, but probably the letters miscarried. I never was much of a letter writer, anyhow. And I never knew until the other day that you were so anxious to find me. I couldn't have left here anyhow, though, for I had to straighten out my affairs. Now everything is all right. Do you still want to arrest me?
gpt
No, replied Mr. Newcomb.
human
I reckon you're a friend of the law and, in consequence, you're my friend. Now come on, boys, we'll lock up the other birds.