“Among the methods used, however, by us in our efforts to recover the medal we asked the Boston police to visit all the pawnshops and see what they could find. This morning we had word by long distance phone from Boston, saying the medal had been found in one of the pawnshops there and suggesting that we send some one in authority to bring it back and to go over some facts in connection with the case, which might aid them in locating the culprit. I was going up anyhow and I said I would attend to the matter myself. When I arrived at police headquarters, the chief took me into his private office. He went to his safe and when he returned he handed me the medal which I now show you (he held up the beautiful medal in his right hand) and he also handed me this.” Then with his left hand he picked up an envelope which was lying on his desk and handed it to Hal.
Hal was puzzled because he didn’t know what that could have to do with him. He looked up and noticed all three of the officers of the University watching his face closely. He couldn’t understand it and naturally became paler. It looked to him like a trap. Then he reached over with his right hand and took the envelope which Mr. Williams held out for him.
He felt that something terrible was going to happen and his hand shook. He took the envelope, looked at it, turned it over, looked at the other side, and gave a jump. What he saw would make most young fellows jump even higher than Hal did, for on the address side of the envelope was written
“HAROLD CASE,
————
California.”
Hal noticed at once that it was his own writing. It was some seconds before anyone in the room spoke. To Hal it seemed hours. Finally, it was he himself who broke the silence.
“Where did you get this?” he asked.
“The police found it with the medal in the shop where it was pawned, and the broker said it was handed to him by the fellow who pawned the medal.” This was said slowly in order to give the others a chance to notice what effect the words had on Hal. “It looks something like your writing,” said Mr. Williams.
“It is my handwriting,” said Hal.