human
Nope, we didn't do it, Flossie said.
gpt
Though we likes p'licemans; don't we, Freddie?
human
Yeppie, he answered sleepily.
gpt
When I grows up I'm goin' be a p'licemans or a firesmans--I forget which.
human
He's sleepy, laughed the officer.
gpt
But what about this, Mr. Bobbsey? Some one must have telephoned.
human
Yes, of course. I wonder if it could have been Mr. Blipper or that lad who called himself Bob Guess?
gpt
Who are they?
human
Mr. Blipper is a man who owns a merry-go-round he takes to fairs and circuses. He passed the picnic grounds where we were to-day. He's on his way to the Bolton County Fair. He had with him a boy named Bob Guess--called that because the lad is an orphan and they had to 'guess' at his name. Soon after this Blipper and his outfit left, I missed my coat, and, coming home, we found the lap robe gone. I was going to ride after him, but we had a little excitement here, and I haven't had a chance. Then you came along and----
gpt
he murmured, as he entered.
human
Oh, de p'liceman done come! he exclaimed.
gpt
He's heah! I'm glad!
human
Did you expect him?
gpt
Yes, sah, Mr. Bobbsey, I did! When de lap robe was gone I t'ought maybe you t'ink I might 'a' been careless like, an' let some chicken t'ieves in. So I telephoned fo' a p'liceman to come an' see if he could cotch de burglar!
human
Oh, Sam, you didn't need to do that! exclaimed Mrs. Bobbsey.
gpt
We know it wasn't your fault that the lap robe was taken, any more than it was that Mr. Bobbsey's coat was stolen.
human
Of course not!
gpt
Well, I t'ought better we have a p'liceman,
human
I don't know what there is for him to do, said Mr. Bobbsey.
gpt
As nearly as I can figure it out, my coat was stolen at the picnic grounds and the lap robe was taken about the same time.
human
It was, agreed Mrs. Bobbsey.
gpt
And I think that Blipper--or perhaps Bob Guess--had something to do with both thefts.
human
It might be, replied the officer.
gpt
Those traveling show people aren't very careful, sometimes. I'll report back to the chief and see what he says. If we get sight of this merry-go-round crowd, Mr. Bobbsey, we'll stop them and ask them about your coat and the robe.
human
Thank you, I wish you would. But I don't imagine you'll see them. They are on their way to Bolton, and we shall be there ourselves next week, so we can make some inquiries.
gpt
We're going to the fair! We're going to the fair! We're going to the Bolton County Fair!
human
Maybe we'll find daddy's coat when we get there!