"Mr. Whitaker," said Hawley, "how long ago were the canes taken away from here?"
The good man hesitated, and the freshman without waiting for him to speak began again. "We belong to the same class as your grandson. We're freshmen and we don't want the sophs to get those canes."
"I regret exceedingly that I had anything to do with it, but my grandson over-persuaded me and so I consented. I should say that it was about an hour ago when they came for the canes."
"Who came?"
"There were two young gentlemen, and they brought me a note which informed me that I was to let them take the canes away."
"A note?" demanded Hawley. "What did it say? Who signed it?"
"It was signed by Hawley—Albert Hawley, if I recollect aright, and also by my grandson."
"My name is Hawley and somebody forged it. The sophs have the canes and I'm afraid it's too late—"
"Too late nothing, Hawley!" said Will impulsively. "What kind of a rig, I mean wagon or sleigh or whatever it was, did they have?" he inquired of the minister."It was a box wagon, a farm wagon, and they had a farmer to drive for them."
"Did you know the man?" demanded Will.