“If this fellow’s story is true, the ring ought to be in the inkwell yet,” said Tom.  “That is, unless the well was washed out and put away for the summer.  In that case the person who cleaned the well ought to have found the ring.”

“Sounds almost like a fairy tale,” went on Sam.  “I don’t know whether to believe it or, not.”

“It’s the truth!” cried Andy Royce.

“We’ll believe it when we see the ring,” returned Tom, grimly.  “I guess the best thing you can do, Royce, is to come with us.”

“Please don’t have me arrested!  I’ve told you the truth, sure!”

“If you’ll come with us and behave yourself, we won’t have you arrested,” answered Tom.  “But we are not going to let you get away until we have found out if your story is true.”

“We might telegraph to the seminary at once,” suggested Sam.  “Do you know who is in charge there during the summer?”

“Why, I heard Nellie say that Miss Parsons took charge—­ the teacher who left the ring with Miss Harrow.”

“Then why not telegraph to her?”

“We’ll do it!  But this fellow has got to come with us until we are sure his story is true.”

Andy Royce demurred, but the boys would not listen to him.  They accompanied him to his room upstairs, and made him pack up his belongings and pay his bill.  Then, somewhat sobered by what was taking place, the gardener accompanied them downstairs and to the street.  Here the boys hailed a passing taxicab that was empty, and ordered the driver to take them as quickly as possible to the Outlook Hotel.

“It certainly is a queer story,” said Dick, who had just arrived from the office, “but it may be true.  People do queer things sometimes, especially when they are under the influence of liquor.  He probably had a grudge against Miss Harrow, and thought the disappearance of the ring would get her into trouble, just as he said.”

“Oh, I hope they do find the ring!” cried Tom.  “It will be great news for Nellie.”

It was arranged that Andy Royce should accompany Dick and Sam to the smoking room of the hotel, and remain there until Tom had telegraphed to Hope Seminary and received a reply.

“You had better run upstairs and see Dora first,” suggested Dick, “and make sure as to who is in charge at the seminary.  If there are two persons there, you had better telegraph to both of them so that they can unite in looking for the ring.”

Dora was in a flutter of excitement when told of what had occurred.  She remembered about Miss Parsons, and said that there was also a housekeeper named Mrs. Lacy in charge.  Armed with this information Tom sent off two telegrams, each reading as follows: 

“Look for missing diamond ring in Miss Harrow’s red-ink inkwell.  If
found, answer at once.

Thomas Rover,
“Outlook Hotel,
“New York City.”

“They were mighty funny telegrams to send,” said Tom, when he rejoined his brothers in the hotel smoking room.  “Perhaps they won’t know what to make of them.”