“Sit down, both of you,” Dorran invited. “Now what can I do to help you?”
“Don,” directed the colonel, “tell Captain Dorran the whole class trophy story up to date. Don’t leave a thing out.”
Don complied, being careful to remember and relate everything that had happened, and when he had finished the colonel nodded in approval.
“Yes, that is about right. What do you think of it, Dorran?”
The chief frowned. “This Arthur Gates is a pretty black character, isn’t he? What is it that you want me to do, Morrell?”
“There was an advertisement in the paper last night calling for a butler, and the Gates family placed the ad. I want you to scare me up a good detective that will pass as a butler, and have him placed in the house. When the man from Canada comes this butler-detective is to try and get hold of that cup, or at least to prevent it from going to Canada. Can you do that?”
“I think I can,” replied the chief promptly. “I’ll have Proctor come in.”
Mr. Proctor was called in and the colonel and Don saw he could play the part well. He looked anything but a detective, with his expressionless face, soft brown eyes and sleek hair. He did look every inch a soft-spoken, efficient butler. He was informed of the necessary details and ordered to either get the cup or at least keep it from going to Canada. Even before Don and the colonel left the station he was on his way to Gates’ place to apply, with references in his pocket that had served him more than once in similar cases.
“Well, what do you think of my plan?” the colonel asked his young companion on the way back to school in the cab.
“I think it should be just the thing to clear up all this business,” Don replied. “We know that the cup is in the house and the detective should be able to get hold of it. Once we get a good look at the thing we should be able to clear up all the mystery surrounding it and then George Long can be wholly cleared.”