“We cannot call in any of the teachers, or the janitor, as hardly anyone is up yet. We shall have to handle the case without gloves and depend on you boys. You will understand my position, so I will ask you, Lambert, to bring Malatesta here at once, saying I wish to see him. Wake him, if need be.”
“But if he refuses at this hour?” asked the senior.
“But will he, if it is at my request?”
“Very likely. I know him. Rage, scare, ugly, even knife; no telling!” Tony declared.
“Then we had better wait for the janitor. Go call him.”
“No, Doctor, please,” urged Gus. “I’ll go with Lambert and we’ll fetch him here. And he won’t hurt anybody.”
“But can you be sure of this? We always try to avoid publicity in matters of this kind. It would be best to have Malatesta here this early, before most of the boys are up and about, but there must be no trouble.”
“You may be sure there will be no trouble,” Gus insisted. “Bill can tell you why. It’s really quite simple.”
“Well, at least call on Malatesta and tell him. I will call the janitor.”
Gus and Lambert hastened away. Bill, also eager to have the Sicilian apprehended at once, and knowing Gus would put it over, sought to detain the Doctor. Tony, like-minded, aided in this. In a few minutes Lambert was knocking on Malatesta’s door, Gus having gone to his own room.