After Jack helped Hope down from the horse, Hope found the small silver suitcase by his feet.
The suitcase had clearly already been opened, and the book inside was nowhere to be found.
It was probably already in Professor Armitage's hands.
Just as Hope steadied himself, Dr. Morgan walked over to them. "Congratulations, Jack—um, hand Love over to me. Go find Professor Rice. You have five minutes to do whatever you want, and then we'll drive that guy out."
Hope followed Dr. Morgan while Jack headed toward Professor Rice.
Paul was beside Dr. Morgan as well.
Dr. Morgan had Hope sit on the grass beside Paul, while he sat down on Hope's other side.
There seemed to be something placed nearby. Hope could not see it clearly, but Dr. Morgan told him not to mind it—and, of course, not to damage it.
"It seems to be over," Paul said.
Hope looked at the scene over there, somewhat confused. "I keep feeling like it was too easy."
"Easy is a good thing," Dr. Morgan said. "But I think we gave the other side enough attention. Jack—
"Um, is he reliable?"
"Is he famous?"
Dr. Morgan nodded. "Everyone has heard of him to some extent. An outstanding young man of the Federation, one of the best among people his age. Though we're both Level Two, he's different from an amateur like me."
Hope was not particularly surprised by the phrase "outstanding young man." If people like Jack were everywhere, then cultists were probably nothing more than rats in the gutter.
"You're with the Federation too?" Hope asked.
"Part-time," Dr. Morgan said. "Many professors and lecturers at Miskatonic University work part-time for the Federation. Unlike real investigators, we have more freedom and more leisure."
"Sounds much better than Jack's life," Hope said.
Jack