Mildred A. Wirt

“ Midge declared, scraping the last bit of egg from his tinfoil cup plate. “I’ll give him a piece of my mind!”
“Maybe it wasn’t the tramp,” speculated Chips. He poked the coals with a stick, and having stirred the flames, tossed a crumpled ball of foil to the fire.
“Who else could it have been?” demanded Fred. “We’ve seen no one on this road. Only cars that whiz past at twenty-five miles an hour.”
Chips had fastened his gaze upon the unpainted dwelling owned by the Widow Jones. The old house was some distance away, but visible through the trees.
“Remember that runaway boy?” he reminded the Cubs. ”

“ Handing the sack of groceries to Brad, the elderly man unlocked the kitchen door.
“Come in, come in,” he invited, as the boys hesitated. “We’ll see what’s what.”
Nothing appeared to have been disturbed in the kitchen. The room however, was in a frightful state of disorder. Mr. Merrimac had not washed the breakfast dishes, and the remains of a meager lunch remained on the white porcelain table.
“I haven’t had time to clean up yet today,” he apologized. “Living alone makes one fall into careless habits.” ”

“ Hatfield again talked over plans for the coming Round Table jamboree.
“The Pack has chosen a motto or code of honor for this month,” he told the boys. “It is this: ‘BE ALWAYS READY.’”
“I’m ready right now—for another weiner!” laughed Midge, reaching into the sack Mr. Hatfield had brought along.
“I guess you meant the code in a more serious sense, didn’t you, Mr. Hatfield?” Dan asked.
“That’s right, Dan. Knights of old always were ready to defend those who could not help themselves. They were prepared to fight in the defense of liberty.”
“Cubs can’t fight real battles,” protested Chips. ”

“ Mr. Hatfield said as they all arose from the breakfast table. “You’re taking this matter entirely too seriously. Everything will come out in the wash.”
“If the money isn’t found, we’ll give up that new car we had intended to buy,” declared Mrs. Hatfield. “Expensive automobiles are an unnecessary luxury.”
Dan looked so troubled that Mr. Hatfield, to take his mind off the money box, said quickly:
“All set for the cook-out tonight?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Remind all the Cubs to meet here at my house right after school. Now you and Fred had better get along to school, or you’ll be late.” ”

“ Coming upon the scrapbook which Dan had made, he fingered through it.
[216]
“You did a bang-up job recording the history of the Cubs,” he praised. “But why all the blank pages at the end?”
“They represent the future,” Dan laughed, stepping out of his armor. “And boy! Judging from the past, what a future we’ll have. How about it, fellows?”
“We’ll do our best to make ’er glow!” shouted Chips.
The other Cubs, gathering up their belongings, signified agreement, by giving a long and lusty wolf wail. ”

“ Hatfield encouraged him.
Jack smiled in a superior, insolent way. The wave of friendliness which he briefly had displayed, now was entirely gone. Once more he seemed the arrogant, defiant runaway.
“Why should I tell you anything?”
“Because it’s the right thing to do, Jack. We have a particular reason for being interested in what became of that black silk dress.”
[156]
“You’ve accused me of being a thief.”
“No, Jack. The Cubs were a bit abrupt perhaps. They believe in being square and honest. Naturally it made them sore to think you might have taken the biscuits.” ”

“ As Jack scrambled up, everyone cheered and clapped. The ceremony however, was not over.
“We welcome you, Sir Jack!” Dan continued. “Don your armor!”
A suit fashioned from cardboard, burlap and roofing discs had been prepared for the boy. Babe and Midge helped him get into the costume.
Then as Jack reappeared all decked out as a knight, the other boys formed a double column, facing each other. Swords were raised above their heads to form a long archway. Jack walked through to take his place at the end of the line. ”

“ Brad told the Cubs. “It’s getting late anyhow.”
In the act of tying his plunder into a knapsack made from his sweater, Dan glanced toward the basement window of the new house.
“Look, Brad!” he commanded. “That guy’s standing there watching us!”
“I don’t like it,” the older boy muttered. “Mr. Hatfield’s right. This is no place for us.”
“We ought to be a match for him.”
“That’s not the point,” Brad argued. “For all we may know, he might be a criminal—armed. He looks like a tough customer.”
“Face is sort of familiar too,” Dan said thoughtfully. “Where have I seen him before?” ”

“ Applying his shoulder, the social worker tried to roll the car backward toward higher pavement.
“Don’t do that,” Mr. Hatfield commanded. “You’ll strain yourself. I’ll call a tow car.”
“We’ll help push,” Brad offered, starting to get out into the water.
“No, wait,” Mr. Wentworth ordered. “You youngsters oughtn’t to freeze yourselves. This water is like ice. I’m already soaked to the knees. Tell you what! I’ll go back to the drugstore and telephone for a tow car that will push both autos on through.” ”

“ Even so, the Cubs felt that they were involved. Dan especially considered that by finding the box he had brought trouble upon Mr. Hatfield and the Den.
“Why did I have to go digging into that coal pile anyway?” he berated himself. “We wouldn’t be in this mess except for me.”
“Nonsense, Dan,” Mr. Hatfield chided. “I’m glad you found the box. Furthermore, we’ll not waste valuable time worrying about the matter. The police are free to make any investigation they wish. We’ll cooperate.”
The Cub leader kept the Cubs so busy they had little time to think much about the missing money box. ”

“ Dan asked, falling into step with the Cub leader.
“Naturally, it raises a question in one’s mind, Dan. But for the life of me, I can’t understand how he would know about the tin box.”
“Furthermore, he didn’t live here at the time the money disappeared from your house, Mr. Hatfield.”
“That’s so, Dan!” the Cub leader exclaimed, obviously relieved. “For a minute I was afraid of the worst. It only goes to prove one shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Guess I’ve said that a dozen times.”
As the Cubs reached the main road, Chips called attention to a curl of smoke rising lazily from the woods. ”

“ Dan denied. “Mr. Hatfield is our leader. Brad is the Den Chief, and I’m the Denner. Naturally, we make suggestions sometimes that the other fellows carry out. But we aren’t bossy about it.”
“Cubs nevertheless are required to obey orders and follow the rules,” Mr. Hatfield said quietly. “Society is built upon regulations. Otherwise one would have chaos.”
“When one person defies or disregards rules, it means hardship for someone else,” added Burton Holloway, driving home the point. ”

“ Fred hastened to obey.
“I hope no one followed us here,” Dan said uneasily. “That car—”
“Oh, we lost it before we stalled in the high water,” Mr. Hatfield reassured him. “The chances are we imagined we were being trailed.”
“Maybe, only I thought—”
“Fellows, just because we found a cash box is no reason for working up a high-grade case of the jitters,” the Cub leader said. “The important thing is to maintain a sensible outlook. Now let’s count the money.”
“Right-o,” grinned Dan. “Guess I did let my imagination lead me a race.”
With the blinds lowered, the boys opened up the money box. ”

“ Before taking the box to his parked car, the Cub leader carefully wrapped it in his coat. Everyone breathed a bit easier when they were out of the church.
Mr. Hatfield locked the money box into the rear compartment of his car.
“Oh, by the way, boys, just a word of caution,” he said as he prepared to drive away. “Until I’ve had a chance to report to the police, it’s just as well that no one learns about the money. So I’m depending upon you to keep our discovery a secret.” ”

“ The Cubs worked a while longer on their armor. As they began to grow tired, Mrs. Hatfield said it was time to break up the meeting. Before the Cubs left the church, she reminded them to keep working on their pledge list for the building fund.
“The money isn’t coming in as fast as we’d like,” she declared. “We’re especially short from the persons we expected to give fairly large amounts. So during the next few days dig in and really do your best.”
Dan and Brad were the last to leave, lingering behind to help Mrs. Hatfield and Mrs. Holloway clean up the litter. ”

“ Growing boys always are hungry. I know, because I had three of ’em. They’re grown men now.”
A lonely soul, Mrs. Jones would have chatted on and on. The Cubs, however, already were late. So they edged away, waved a final goodbye, and trudged back to the main road.
“That should cure us of peeking into windows,” Brad lectured Babe. “She was mighty nice about it, but she could have jumped all over us.”
“How was I to know anyone lived there?” Babe defended himself. “You thought yourself the house was empty.”
[96]
“That’s so,” Brad admitted honestly. “Mrs. Jones must be as poor as a church mouse. ”

“ Mr. Hatfield thought aloud. “Well, let’s get back and report to the Cubs. It’s risky standing here in the open.”
After taking one more peek through the dirty pane of glass, the boys followed the Cub leader to the shelter of trees. There they were bombarded with a multitude of questions.
[182]
“Let’s march into that shack in a body and make that tramp give up the money!” Chips proposed boldly. “Then we’ll have him arrested!”
“Aren’t you putting the cart before the horse?” Mr. Hatfield suggested. “It’s far wiser to have him arrested first and let the police demand the money.” ”

“ Chips started for the shack, only to have Brad haul him back.
“Not you!” he said. “Dan and I will search the shack. You and Midge and Babe stay here and keep watch. If you hear a whistle, or see anyone coming, give us a warning.”
“Some guys have all the fun!” Chips complained.
[188]
“Fun!” Brad snorted. “We’re taking the risk. Don’t forget, that tramp may be armed, either with a revolver or a knife. If he should catch us in the shack, he might give us a tough time of it.” ”

“ Dan grinned, moving aside so the man could reach the milk box at the doorstep. “I’m getting ready for the big Cub Scout knighting ceremony we’re to have at the church.”
“The Cubs really do a lot of interesting things,” replied the milkman. He slipped two bottles into the box and gathered up the empties. “I read the other day how the Cubs found some money—say, weren’t you the one who turned up that tin box?”
“Guilty,” agreed Dan. “I almost wish I hadn’t found it too! So many persons have put in a claim. Then to make matters worse, the box disappeared again.” ”

“ Although these newcomers have no armor of steel, they are equipped with armor of good will, squareness and honor. So we are gathered here to welcome them into our circle. Bring the first man forward!”
[210]
Brad, holding a torch high, led Jack Phillips from the sidelines. At a signal, the boy knelt on his left knee in front of Dan, who said:
“As a knight of the Cub Scout organization, you must promise always to do your part. You must follow our leader, obey his orders and give good will.” ”

“ Despite the Cub leader’s admonition, Dan could not drive thoughts of the tin box from his mind.
That night, from his father, he learned that it was generally known in Webster City that the Cubs had found the box. Furthermore, a number of thoughtless persons were criticizing Mr. Hatfield for not having taken better care of the money.
“It’s awkward that several people have put in a claim to the cash,” his father added. ”

“ All week the Cubs worked on their armor and made preparation for the scheduled Round Table gathering. So enthusiastic were all the Cubs, that it had been decided, not only Den 2, but the entire Pack comprised of three Webster City dens, would take part.
Nearly every morning before school, Dan was up early making articles which could be used at the grand knighting ceremony.
“I’m glad to see you painting and making designs,” his mother praised his work. “I wish though, you’d conduct your creative experiments outdoors. Fresh paint doesn’t go well with the pattern of the kitchen linoleum!” ”

“ Hatfield succeeded in starting the car. Quickly he shifted gears and rolled through the intersection an instant before the light turned red again.
Dan glanced back through the rear window to watch the other automobile. The driver had been caught by the red light.
To Dan’s astonishment, however, he ignored it, deliberately “crashing.”
“That motorist is dizzy,” he commented. “First he waits for a green light—then he goes on the red.”
Mr. Hatfield turned at the next corner, heading toward the street where Brad lived.
To Dan’s surprise, the automobile directly behind also made the turn. ”