Archaeological, you know. Digging up some of Tut’s relatives and things like that.”

“You don’t mean it! Really! Isn’t that just wonderful? Did he say when they start?”

“Friday,” said Alan grimly. And then in a tone as if he were reporting an invitation to a pink tea, he said, quite offhandedly, “He asked me to go along.”

“Oh, Alan!” said Sherrill, clapping her hands in ecstasy and looking at him with admiration.

“Yes,” said the boy, “gave me all the dope and everything to meet him in New York, day after tomorrow.”

“Day after tomorrow!” The girl gave him a quick look, and sympathy broke into her voice.

“Oh, Alan! Then you can’t go! Of course. But isn’t that hard! You wouldn’t want to leave your father just now. Does he know about it?”

“No, and I don’t intend he shall!” said Alan, and there was a ring of purpose in his voice. “Please don’t say anything to Mother either, Sherry. It would just worry her, and she’s got enough to be anxious over now.”

“But wouldn’t they both perhaps feel you ought to have told them? It’s such an important thing. Perhaps they could make other arrangements and let you go.”

“There isn’t a chance!” said Alan briskly, thinking of the hard work he had been doing all day. “Nobody else knows about Dad’s business the way I do, and I wouldn’t trust anybody to take things over. Besides, Dad may be worse hurt than we think. The doctor can’t tell everything just yet. Of course, I know it’s a chance of a lifetime, as old Hodge said, but it can’t be helped. The way just isn’t open, that’s all. I only mentioned it because I thought you’d like to know that Hodge had asked me. I guess it’s an honor. He must know a lot of other fellows better fitted than I am.”

“Of course it’s an honor,” said Sherrill eagerly, “a great honor! But I’m not a bit surprised. I don’t believe Professor Hodge knows another boy of your age that is as dependable as you. But as for being the chance of a lifetime, you can’t tell. Maybe staying at home is the chance of yours. Things we want are not always the ones that are best for us. This may not be the chance of your lifetime at all.”

“Evidently not!” said Alan with a little laugh that hid a twinge of bitterness. “Well it was mighty nice of him to ask me anyway, and I’ve that to remember, like saving up candy you can’t eat along with your diploma and other trifling honors!”

“Have you answered him yet?” asked Sherrill thoughtfully.

“Sure! Wired him within an hour after the letter came.”

They were silent a moment, swinging back and forth under the old pine trees, Sherrill’s white dress making a patch of white in the shadows.

Footsteps were coming down the sidewalk, ringing footsteps that walked with a purpose. They paused at the rose-vine arch over the gateway and hesitated then turned in and walked more slowly up the stone flagging toward the house. About halfway up they paused, and the two in the swinging seat under the trees could see whoever it was looking toward them. They could not make out his identity. It did not seem to be any of the boys who frequented their company.

“Oh, I say, Mac, is that you?” called the visitor.

Alan rose from his seat and answered, taking a step forward.

“Yes? Did you want to see me?”

Chapter 2

The newcomer came swiftly forward then and held out his hand. Sherrill saw that it was Robert Lincoln, Alan’s former rival on the football field.

“Hope you’ll pardon me for intruding,” he said, and there was something surprisingly humble in the boy’s tone. “I won’t keep you long. I just got a wire from Professor Hodge and I had to come and thank you. I say, Mac, you’ve been mighty good to recommend me after all that’s passed, and I sure do appreciate it.