“And we thought Langridge had a hand in it,” went on Phil. “But there is still the chair and deed to be explained.”
“I don’t know anything about the chair,” insisted Lenton, and they believed him. “But could I have——” he hesitated.
“Do you want the clock?” asked Tom.
“I—I just want to take out one of the wheels. I’ll put in another just as good,” promised Lenton, eagerly. And they let him have the battered timepiece.
“Now, if we could only explain the chair matter as easily, all would be well,” commented Phil, when Lenton had gone.
They had not long to wait. A little later a message summoned them to the office of Dr. Churchill. The president greeted them pleasantly.
“I have just had the lawyers here,” he said, “and they state that the quit-claim deed which you boys found is genuine, and the very one that was missing. It brings to an end the suit against the college, and I wish to once more thank you lads. The prohibition of silence is now removed, and you are at liberty to tell your friends the good news.”
“But you have not heard it all,” said Tom, and he told about the visit of the excited stranger just before the game.
“I think I can explain that,” went on the president, with a smile, “and also tell you where to find your chair.”
“Can you?” cried the three, eagerly.