human
We had a nice colt from old Peggy last year, and two weeks ago it was stolen. Otto had just broken her to saddle, and she was a likely animal, Eve said.
gpt
Old Peggy misses her, and whinnies for her all the time,
human
Hasn't your father tried to find the thief--or the colt?
gpt
Yes, indeed. He's over to Keyport to-day to see the detective there.
human
But the colt may be outside the county,
gpt
That's so, too. We haven't any idea where Jinks went. That was her name--Jinksey. She doesn't look much like Old Peggy; but she was worth a hundred and fifty dollars, if she was worth a cent! More than father could easily afford to lose. And then--Otto really owned her--or would have owned her when he came of age. Father had promised Jinks to him.
human
It's a shame! cried Laura, always sympathetic.
gpt
And you have no suspicion as to who could have taken her?
human
No. Down beyond the store--beyond Robinson's Woods, you know--there is a settlement of people who have a hard name. They rob the gardens and orchards on the edge of town----
gpt
Toward Centerport, you mean?
human
Yes.
gpt
The Four Corners' crowd!
human
Yes.
gpt
Oh, that gang are a bad lot. Once Chet and I motored through there and an ugly fellow named Pocock came out and fired a charge of bird-shot into a rear tire. He said an auto had been through there the week before and killed his pig, and he was going to shoot at every machine he saw. We've never taken that road again.
human
That Hebe Pocock is an awfully bad fellow, said Eve, seriously.
gpt
He tried to work for us once, but father wouldn't keep him more than a day. And he's been mad at us ever since.
human
Maybe some of those fellows in that gang stole your Jinksey.
gpt
How are we going to know? Father or Otto wouldn't dare go down there and look around. And I guess the police are afraid of those fellows, too.
human
Let's drive down past the store,
gpt
Oh, my, Laura! What for?
human
Something might come of it.
gpt
I guess nothing but trouble.
human
I've got what Chet and Lance call 'a hunch,'
gpt
We--ell----here's the store.
human
Just a little farther, Eve,
gpt
Four Corners.
human
It's Jinksey!
gpt
We're going to get her--if you're sure!
human
Of course I'm sure. I'd know her anywhere--and so would Old Peggy.