“Well, thank goodness we come!” said Bill. “Now you have something to gas about besides accidents and murders.”
“You bet!” said Hank, and fell silent.
A moment later Modo came hurrying through the gate on his wheel. He dismounted, and flashing his bright and friendly smile mounted the running-board of the car.
“They are going to make a big fuss over my birthday,” he said, “and some medals have been struck off to commemorate it. I thought you might each like one since you won’t be here to the party. I am to give them out and pin them on myself.” He fastened glittering medals on Lawrence, Bill and Hank as he spoke.
“There!” he said. “Don’t forget me! Good-bye! It was great fun to be just a boy. Good-bye, Lawrence! Don’t you forget to write and send me all the football news!”
He mounted his wheel and disappeared for the last time.
“And they says,” murmured Hank, “they says ‘Whatcher got on?’ and I says, ‘Where?’ and they says, ‘Why, that breas’pin!’ and I says, ‘Oh, a little decoration the Crown Prince of Morania gimme.’ Big stuff, eh?” he prodded Bill gaily.
“These are beauties all the same,” said Lawrence, “and here comes Mr. Ridgeway.”
Talking in “close formation,” as you might say, they displayed their medals and recounted their incident. Mr. Ridgeway also had a medal, and another decoration as well: a broad purple ribbon with a gold Greek Cross blazing with jewels. It was to signify that he had been made a member of the Order of the Crown. “For bringing back the jewels,” he explained, laughing.
“When do we start home, Mr. Ridgeway?” asked Hank.