Terry proved to be a true prophet. When they entered the school office they found the colonel there waiting for them. He was impatiently tapping a long letter-opener on the desk, and at the sound of their entrance he sprang to his feet, glancing sharply at the clock.
“We beg to report ourselves back, Colonel Morrell,” said Don, saluting and smiling at the same time. The others saluted at once and the colonel somewhat hastily returned it.
“And I’m more than glad to see you back here,” the colonel exploded. “I’ve been worrying about you. Did you have any luck?”
“Unless I am greatly mistaken we have the cup right with us, in this box,” said Don quietly. He placed it on the desk.
“We’ll open it and see,” the colonel stated.
A hammer was procured from a nearby closet and with a few swift blows the colonel broke open the wooden box. As the last board fell away a somewhat tarnished silver cup was disclosed to view. The colonel raised it from the box and they looked at the inscription on the side. It read: “Presented to Woodcrest Military Institute by Melvin R. Gates for Excellence in Scholastic Effort. Won by Arthur F. Gates of the Senior Class, April 7, 1933.”
“That’s the cup,” murmured Jim.
Without a word the colonel turned it up so they could all see what was written on the bottom. All of them craned forward to read the brief message which had been written deep into the silver by the aid of a pin or knife.
The message was simple but tragic. It read: “I cheated. Arthur Gates.”
There was a moment of silence on the part of the colonel and his loyal cadets. Then the colonel said very quietly, “You see what it means, boys?”