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Rh wanted. I made a false key, sneaked in, and took the clock out. Then I happened to think you'd want a timepiece, so I brought in that mahogany one—it was a present to me from a friend in Chicago, but I didn't care for it. The wheels weren't right."

"I guess you've got wheels," murmured Phil.

"Your alam clock had just the right size wheel in it," went on the odd student, "so I took it out, and made my electrical machine. Then I made another wheel that would answer as well in your clock, and I made the exchange back again. Now my electrical machine is broken, and I need another wheel from your clock, and"

"You were going to sneak in again and take it," broke in Sid.

"Yes. I made another false key, for I accidentally left the first one in the door when you came and surprised me, the day I brought your clock back."

"Why didn't you ask us for the clock?" inquired Tom.

"Because I was afraid you wouldn't let me take it. I heard the fellows say how fond you were of it. I thought you wouldn't miss a wheel from it, if I gave you a better clock."

"Another one—not a better," insisted Phil. "But did you drop a letter in here one day?"