“By Jove, it’s Lenton!” cried Tom, catching a glimpse of the face of the captive. And indeed it was the odd student who was such an expert with the file.
“And he’s got a false key!” added Sid, as he saw a bit of brass in the lad’s hand. “Here, you little shrimp, what do you mean?” and Sid shook the lad.
“I—please—I didn’t mean anything,” was the stammering answer.
“Weren’t you trying to get into our room?” demanded Tom.
“Yes, I—I was, but——”
“Where’s our chair?” came fiercely from Phil.
“I haven’t got it! I never had it.”
“Did you take our clock, and afterward exchange it?” asked Tom, determined to solve part of the mystery, if not all.
“Yes, I had it, and I—I was coming back to borrow it again,” answered the odd student.