On Friday evening Hal was in his room doing his studies, in order to have them out of the way, so that he could enjoy himself fully on Saturday and Sunday, without having to think of college work, when he received a note from Mr. Williams, the treasurer of the University, asking him if he could come down for a few minutes. The note was delivered by a blue-coated messenger boy. After reading it, he said he would go and the messenger left.
Hal went into Hans’ room to tell where he was going, found that he was not in his room and as they had planned to do some studying together later in the evening he started to write a note on the pad on the writing desk. Then he thought Hans would understand better what was up if he left the treasurer’s note on Hans’ desk. He did this and went on down to see Mr. Williams.
When he arrived there he found Mr. Williams, Dr. Lawrence, the president, and Mr. Smith, the secretary, waiting for him. There was nothing that Hal need be nervous about, and he could think of nothing they could want him for, unless perhaps they wanted to “call him down” for leaving the University without explanation.
On second thought he made up his mind that if that were the idea, they surely wouldn’t have the president of the University on hand. Then he thought that perhaps the president wanted to hear his story about the pawnshop, etc., and he wished Hans were with him to verify it. All this passed through his mind in the few seconds he had to wait until they noticed his arrival.
“Oh, Case,” said Mr. Williams, “we have asked you down here to-night to tell you some important news. First, the medal has been found, and——”
“I am very glad it has turned up,” broke in Hal, relieved, “and I appreciate your telling me in this way, Mr. Williams, because I suppose you know I have——”
“Yes, that is one reason, Case,” now broke in Mr. Williams, “but there are certain circumstances in connection with the finding of the medal, which I regret to say will need a little further explanation on your part.”
“Why, what do you mean?” asked Hal, growing a little nervous at the tone used by Mr. Williams.
“I hope,” went on Mr. Williams, “that you have an explanation which is satisfactory. I cannot quite bring myself to believe, after the straightforward talk you made to me last week, that you had anything to do with the theft of the medal, but the circumstances of recovery demand an explanation from you. When you told me your story the other day you gave me the address of the pawnshop in Boston where you went to inquire about the value of your watch. You were so frank about asking us to go there and verify your story that I didn’t think it worth while to do so.