“And the mystery of the bell is explained,” added Sim.
“Have you a piece of paper?” suddenly asked Mr. Pangborn after a vain search in his own pockets.
“We nearly always carry books and papers,” said Sim, “but this morning——” She looked helplessly at her chums.
“Here!” exclaimed Arden. “Use the back of this envelope. It’s the letter you gave me to keep, Sim. I was always afraid she’d mail it herself if I left it around,” she explained to Terry, “so I’ve been carrying it with me.”
She handed the crumpled envelope to the young man, who had managed to find a pencil, and he wrote on it quickly. He handed the envelope back to Arden.
“There,” he said. “That’s a telegram to my lawyers. Sign your name, send it, and the reward is yours.”
“You won’t run away meanwhile, will you?” asked Arden shyly.
“No, I’ll stay around or go and give myself up, as you direct—just so you’ll get the money.” He seemed happy to comply.
“Thanks, so much!” Arden said warmly. “Do you mind if we go send this telegram right away—before we have to report in class?”
“Run along,” he said, laughing. “I’ll go telephone my people and relieve their anxiety. Though I don’t really believe they were worried. I’ve traveled pretty much around the world alone and been out of touch with them for months at a time.”