"Who has the key?"
"Here it is, sir," said Herbert, producing it from his waistcoat pocket.
At each of the four tables the boys had paused in their eating and drinking, and were waiting in silence for another sight of the famous trophy. Mr. Conway turned the key and opened the box.
It was empty!
For a moment the incident seemed rather more comic than serious. It appeared a sort of first of April joke, and a ripple of laughter went round the room.
"How's this?" said Mr. Conway with a slight indication of annoyance in his tone. "Where is the cup?"
The members of the cricket team stared at one another in silent astonishment.
"Where is the cup?" repeated Mr. Conway. "Who brought it back from the field yesterday?"
"I did, sir," answered Buckle. "I put it in your study."
"Did you make sure the cup was in the case before you started?"