“And did they say they attended it?” Adelaide asked.
“Ricos so reported at the Barracks.”
“Well, I happen to know that Professor Ware delivers those lectures on Tuesday evenings,” Adelaide replied triumphantly; “and this was Wednesday night.”
“Are you sure of this?”
“I am sure because I attend the lectures, and neither of those boys were there.”
Mr. Mudge rubbed his brow with his pencil. “Terwilliger’s previous bad record counts against him,” he said persistently.
“Mr. Mudge,” I entreated, “will you do me the favor to call on a friend of ours, Mr. Van Silver, who knows all about that previous record of Terwilliger’s.”
“How is that?” Mr. Mudge asked, and I related my conversation with Mr. Van Silver on our return from the games.
“I will interview this gentleman,” said Mr. Mudge, “for though appearances are strongly against Terwilliger, I do not wish to act on appearances alone. And meantime, if you could find some other witness than young Fitz Simmons who could prove that he and the trainer were really boating on the Harlem the night of your party, and some other witness than Terwilliger to the admission of Ricos and his friend of the dairy nickname, the cause of Lawn Tennis and her brother would be materially strengthened.”
“I agree to produce such witnesses,” said Winnie rashly. “I have called it my mystery and I intend to fathom it, if it takes all summer.”