The three cadets stepped inside a comfortable hall, removing their hats and loosening their overcoats as they did so. Long continued to look fixedly at them.
“We have come to see you on some very important business, Mr. Long,” said Hudson, as there was a slight pause.
“Come in the living room,” Long invited, leading the way. It was evident that he was deeply puzzled and fighting to get a grip on himself.
As they entered the living room, a neat, vigorous lady of about the same age as Long got up quickly from an easy chair in which she had been sitting. She looked from the cadets to her husband.
“If it is on business, George, I’ll leave you to yourselves,” she began, but Don quickly interrupted her.
“Please do not go,” he said. “I am sure you will be quite anxious to hear what we have to say to Mr. Long. Before we go any further I want to introduce my companions and myself. This is Senior Cadet Captain Hudson, and this is my brother, Mr. Mercer. I am Donald Mercer, of the third class at Woodcrest.”
“I’m glad to know you,” Long said, having regained some of his composure by this time. “This is Mrs. Long. Won’t you be seated?”
He turned off the radio music and they all sat down, the Longs expectant and the cadets cool. Don spoke slowly and calmly.
“Mr. Long, we have come to ask you to tell us what you know about that unfortunate affair of the Gates trophy of 1933.”
A sudden dark look passed over the man’s face and his eyes blazed. His voice had lost its friendliness when he spoke again.