"Did he actually mention the Gold Cross?"
"I think he did—sure I never did anything to win that, you can bet."
"No. And I think Slade adopted very questionable tactics to get you back. Doubtless his intentions were good——"
"I wouldn't let that fellow ruin my young life—don't worry."
"Well, you'd better turn in now, Hervey, and don't stay awake thinking about dares and stunts and awards."
And indeed Hervey did not stay awake thinking of any such things, especially awards. In more than one tent and cabin on that Friday night were sleepless heads, tossing and visioning the morrow which would bring them merit badges, and perhaps awards of higher honor—silver, bronze....
But the head of Hervey Willetts rested quietly and his sleep was sound. He took things as they came, as he had taken the letter out of Gilbert's hands. There was a mistake somewhere, or else Tom Slade had caught him and brought him back by a mean trick and a false promise. But he did not hold that against Tom. What he held against Tom was that Tom had made him take a double dare. He knew he had done nothing to win so high an honor as that golden treasure, so rare, so coveted.... What he had done was already ancient history and forgotten. And it had no relation to the Gold Cross. And so he slept peacefully.
The thing that he most treasured was his decorated hat, and so that this might not get away from him again, he kept it under his pillow....