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diff --git a/41259-0.txt b/41259-0.txt index ab72800..4d37cdc 100644 --- a/41259-0.txt +++ b/41259-0.txt @@ -1,33 +1,4 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle, by Mildred A. Wirt - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle - -Author: Mildred A. Wirt - -Release Date: November 2, 2012 [EBook #41259] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAN CARTER AND THE HAUNTED CASTLE *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41259 *** “Dan, you made a bull’s-eye!” “Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle” @@ -5361,359 +5332,4 @@ the tricks of Robin Hood’s trade!” End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle, by Mildred A. 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Wirt</title> @@ -144,42 +144,7 @@ p.t15,div.t15,.t15 { margin-left:19em;text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-b </style> </head> <body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle, by Mildred A. Wirt - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle - -Author: Mildred A. Wirt - -Release Date: November 2, 2012 [EBook #41259] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAN CARTER AND THE HAUNTED CASTLE *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41259 ***</div> <div id="cover" class="img"> <img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle" width="495" height="710" /> @@ -5080,380 +5045,6 @@ Hood’s trade!”</p> <li>Rearranged front matter to a more-logical streaming order.</li> <li>Corrected one speaker in dialog (from “Dan” to “Russ”).</li></ul> - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle, by -Mildred A. 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You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle - -Author: Mildred A. Wirt - -Release Date: November 2, 2012 [EBook #41259] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAN CARTER AND THE HAUNTED CASTLE *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - "Dan, you made a bull's-eye!" -"Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle" - (_See Page 44_) - - - - - Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle - - - by - Mildred A. Wirt - - - Illustrated - - - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - Publishers New York - - - Copyright, 1951, by - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - _All Rights Reserved_ - - DAN CARTER AND THE HAUNTED CASTLE - - Printed in the United States of America - - - - - Contents - - - 1 A Prize Contest 1 - 2 The Chimney Niche 13 - 3 Robin Hood's Strong Box 25 - 4 Laughter From the Woods 35 - 5 Competition 47 - 6 Ghost of the Castle 56 - 7 A Mysterious Arrow 65 - 8 Expert Shooting 73 - 9 A Neglected Duty 84 - 10 Checking Up On Ross 94 - 11 Fire 102 - 12 A Debt To Pay 114 - 13 Kill-Joy Kain 123 - 14 Clues 135 - 15 A Message 142 - 16 Treasure 149 - 17 A Valuable Collection 156 - 18 Billy Hides Out 165 - 19 A New Cub 178 - 20 Epilogue 191 - - - - - Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle - - - - - CHAPTER 1 - A Prize Contest - - -A stir of excitement swept the room, causing the Cub Scouts to shift -restlessly in their seats. - -The monthly meeting of the Pack was nearing its end. Not a Cub from -either Den 1 or Den 2 had failed to attend, for Sam Hatfield, their -leader, had promised the boys "a real surprise." - -Now, as a break came in the regular program, the Cubs sensed that the -moment for the long awaited announcement had arrived. - -"Something worth while is in the wind, that's sure," whispered Brad -Wilber. The Den Chief spoke to a sandy-haired boy whose nose was buried -in a book. "Mr. Hatfield has kept his secret from everyone. What do you -think is up, Dan?" - -"Huh?" demanded Dan Carter, coming suddenly to life. Reluctantly he -closed "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood," a volume obtained a few -minutes earlier from the Webster City Public Library. - -"Oh, don't bother that book worm," laughed Midge Holloway, another Cub in -Den 2. "He never hears anything that goes on at a meeting, even if he is -the official Denner." - -"I resent that slur," retorted Dan goodnaturedly. "I hear every word." - -"Sure he does," declared Chips Davis, coming to the defense of his -friend. "Dan's just smart enough never to waste any of his time." - -A loud, offensive snicker greeted this remark. Looking quickly across the -cave, the Cubs of Den 2 saw that the offender was Ross Langdon, a tall, -gangling boy in Den 1. - -Now Dan and Ross always had been athletic rivals. In a recent swimming -contest the Den 2 boy had soundly defeated the older lad. Ross hadn't -taken it too well. Whenever an opportunity afforded, he made belittling -remarks. - -The Cubs of Den 2, Brad, Red Suell, Chips, Midge and Fred Hatfield, the -son of their leader, were in no mood to "take" anything from Ross. So -they pinned him with hard glares, and Midge muttered: "Quiet, you!" - -"I didn't say a word," retorted Ross, pretending innocence. "You were the -one who remarked that Dan never hears anything." - -Midge would have uttered a sharp retort had not Dan given him a nudge in -the ribs. He was willing to overlook the snicker, because he'd made up -his mind to have no trouble with Ross. - -Fortunately, the Pack meetings came only once a month unless Mr. Hatfield -called the gang together for something special. - -At the regular weekly gatherings of Den 2, everything went smooth as silk -because Ross never attended. However, the Cubs of Den 1 reported that -their sessions sometimes were a bit rough as a result of the older boy's -desire to boss everyone. - -Before Ross could pass another remark, Mr. Hatfield took the floor. -Signaling for silence, he said: - -"Fellows, I have an interesting announcement to make. I don't know how -this will strike you, but a sporting goods firm--Fielding & Jones -Corp.--has offered a substantial prize to the organization putting on the -best play." - -"What sort of prize?" demanded Dan quickly. - -"A complete archery set. Practice and tournament targets, bows and -arrows--everything. All first class equipment." - -"Sounds okay," nodded Brad. Thirteen years of age, the Den Chief was also -a Boy Scout and very dependable for his years. - -"How many organizations will compete?" inquired Midge. - -"That's hard to guess," the Cub leader replied. "I know several church -clubs are entering the contest. Now, I thought if the fellows are -interested, we might make it a joint Den 1 and Den 2 project." - -"Swell!" approved Chips Davis. "That way, we'll have a bigger field from -which to draw acting talent." - -"Let's do it!" approved Midge, while the other boys in Den 2 nodded -vigorously. - -"Suppose we hear from Den 1," said Mr. Hatfield. - -With the exception of Ross Langdon, all the other boys were in favor of -joining forces to try to win the prize. Ross remained noncommittal, -thinking it over. - -"Now that it's settled we're to make the play a joint affair, I'm open to -suggestions," Mr. Hatfield resumed. "Any bang-up ideas?" - -"Let's make it an Indian pow-wow!" proposed Ross. "We've got a lot of -costumes already sewed that we can use." - -Mr. Hatfield nodded and waited for other suggestions. - -"An Indian script would be old stuff," protested Dan. "It's the first -idea that pops into one's mind. Probably a dozen other organizations will -come up with the same thing." - -"Maybe you've got a better idea!" Ross scoffed. - -"Well, no, I haven't at the moment," Dan admitted, and then his gaze -rested for a moment on the Robin Hood book. "Yes, I have too!" he -announced. - -"Let's hear it, Dan," invited Mr. Hatfield. "If we're to win first prize, -we need the best idea we can get." - -"Why not build our play around the adventures of Robin Hood?" Dan -proposed. "Remember? He was the famous archer who lived with his men in -the green glades of Sherwood Forest near Nottingham Town." - -"That was in the time of King Henry the Second, wasn't it?" Brad asked, -taking up with the idea. "The forest setting would be dandy, and we could -have green costumes!" - -"And throw in a little real archery," added Fred. "Wasn't Robin Hood -expert at it?" - -"The very best," Dan declared, paraphrasing the book he had just been -reading. "'No archer ever lived that could speed a gray goose shaft with -more skill than he.'" - -"Who wants to do Robin Hood?" Ross cut in. "An Indian pow-wow would be -more fun." - -"Indians are old stuff," Chips Davis said. "Tell us more about Robin -Hood, Dan." - -"That would take some doing, because it's a long book. I'll tell you how -the story begins though. One day Robin Hood came upon a group of -foresters who twitted him about his ability as an archer. Robin Hood won -a wager with them by shooting a deer. The foresters were jealous and -turned upon him. One of the men shot an arrow at Robin Hood, who returned -the shot. Unfortunately, he killed the man, and became an outlaw." - -"Nothing in that idea," broke in Ross. "I'm in favor of the Indian -pow-wow." - -"Oh, peddle your feathers somewhere else," cut in another member of Den -1. "Dan's idea sounds good! Tell us some more." - -"Robin Hood always befriended the poor people," Dan explained. "The book -would provide any number of exciting scenes, including a big archery -tournament." - -"What characters could we have?" demanded Red Suell. - -"The main part would go to Robin Hood. Then we could have the Sheriff of -Nottingham, Little John, foresters, the tinker, the king, Eric O'Lincoln, -the cook, Allan-a-Dale, the merry friar, and a dozen others." - -"Let's do it!" urged Brad. "The play would be a lot of fun and give the -fellows a chance to practice with bows and arrows." - -Mr. Hatfield brought the proposal to a vote. Ross Langdon was the only -Cub who held out for the Indian pow-wow. - -"I'm willing to go along on the Robin Hood idea if I can have his part," -he said grudgingly. - -"Modest, aren't you?" Midge twitted him. - -"Ross probably has a good reason for wanting the lead part," said Mr. -Hatfield quickly. "How about it, Ross?" - -The boy flushed and looked a bit ashamed. "Oh, I don't want to be Robin -Hood just to have the lead part," he defended himself. - -"Then why not settle for one of the foresters?" demanded Red. - -"I figure the one who plays Robin Hood should be the best archer in the -Pack. Well, that's me." - -"You are a modest little guy!" Midge snorted. "I bet you can hit the -bull's-eye every time at three paces back!" - -"I'm good and you know it!" Ross insisted. - -"You're good and _you_ know it," Midge growled. "Of all the conceit--" - -"Never mind, boys," said the Cub leader, breaking off what promised to be -a lively argument. "We'll not quarrel about who has this or that part. -When the time comes, they'll be assigned." - -"But don't you think Robin Hood should be good with a bow and arrow?" -Ross demanded. "In the tournament scene, wouldn't it be something if he -couldn't hit the target?" - -"I agree that the part of Robin Hood should be played by the Cub most -skilled with a bow and arrow," Mr. Hatfield said. "We'll determine that -by having a preliminary contest." - -"Suits me," grinned Ross, pushing back his chair. "I'm the same as Robin -Hood right now!" - -"Oh, one more surprise," Mr. Hatfield said, as the boys started to leave -their places. "One of the Den Dads, Mr. Holloway, has a moving picture -camera. He will make a movie of the play as we work it out." - -"Where will we take the pictures?" Dan asked. "Here at the Cave?" - -The room which the Cubs used in summer time for their meeting place was -high over the beach, reached by a long flight of stairs. Barely large -enough to hold all the boys at one time, it never would provide a -suitable background for the Robin Hood play. - -"We'll have to find ourselves a forest primeval to double for Sherwood -Forest," Brad chuckled. "I know just the place too." - -"Where?" demanded Dan. - -"Out west of the city near the Haunted Castle." - -"The Haunted Castle!" repeated Midge with keen interest. "Never heard of -such a place. How'd it get that name?" - -Brad admitted that it was one he had made up. "The forest adjoins an old -place that resembles a deserted castle," he explained. "When last I -visited the area, no one lived there." - -"Is it really haunted?" asked Chips. - -"Now what do you think?" laughed Brad. "I've yet to meet an -honest-to-goodness ghost. But if there were any, the Castle would be an -ideal home for the old boy." - -"Suppose we investigate the Haunted Castle and the forest," proposed Mr. -Hatfield. "The setting sounds first class to me, if we can get permission -to use the grounds. Who owns the place, Brad?" - -"I don't know sir, but I can find out." - -"I wish you would before our next meeting. If we're aiming to win the -prize, we'll have to get busy on the play right away." - -"I'll look into the matter today," Brad promised. - -Enthusiastic over the prospect of acting in Robin Hood, the other Cubs -urged Mr. Hatfield to call another Pack meeting that coming Saturday. - -"I'll tell you what," he consented. "Let's have a hike. How would you -like to go out to the Haunted Castle and look over the place? If Ross -cares to bring along his archery set, we might get in a little practice." - -"Sure, I'll fetch the equipment," Ross offered willingly enough. "You'll -see I wasn't boasting when I said I can hit the bull's-eye." - -"We'll give you a thorough test," Mr. Hatfield responded dryly. - -The hour had come to close the meeting. After singing one of their songs, -the Cubs said good-bye to Mr. Hatfield and started off in little groups. - -Descending the steps to the beach, Brad and Midge walked with Dan. Just -ahead, they could hear Ross complaining to a Den 1 Cub that the Robin -Hood idea wasn't nearly as good as the one he had proposed. - -"Oh, forget it," the other boy advised. "Indians are stale." - -"I suppose the Robin Hood idea is original," Ross retorted. - -Brad, Dan and Midge knew Ross well enough to realize that he was not -likely to let the matter drop. - -"I have a hunch he'll make trouble before we're through," Brad said in an -undertone. "If he gets to be Robin Hood, he may go along. If not--well, -he'll kick up a lot of dust." - -"Let him try," replied Midge. - -"Chances are Ross will win the part fair and square," Dan said. "We all -know that despite his boasting he probably handles a bow and arrow better -than anyone in the Pack." - -"If he gets the part, the play is the same as ruined," Midge predicted. - -Brad, however, refused to take such a pessimistic view. - -"Maybe Ross won't win," he said cheerfully. "It hasn't been proven yet -that he's the best shot. Wait until Saturday. Once we get to the Haunted -Castle he may whistle a different tune." - - - - - CHAPTER 2 - The Chimney Niche - - -Early Saturday afternoon found the Cub Scouts of both Den 1 and 2 hiking -briskly along a deserted road leading to "The Castle." - -Immediately after the previous week's Pack meeting at the Cave, Brad had -inquired as to the ownership of the property, learning that the Webster -City Savings Bank held title. - -Further, he had been told that the mansion had been built twenty-two -years earlier by Gorman Lubell, a millionaire who had lost his fortune in -the stock market. - -The unusual dwelling had been built of massive stone to resemble a -miniature English castle. The interior never had been completely -finished. Year after year, the Castle had stood deserted. Periodically, -the bank cut the weeds and trimmed back the shrubbery, but of late even -this duty had been neglected. - -"Brad, you obtained permission for us to visit the property, didn't you?" -Mr. Hatfield asked as the boys trudged along. - -"The bank president was out of the city," the boy answered. "I talked to -his secretary though. She said she was sure it would be all right." - -"Even if we find the grounds unsuited as a locale for our play, we can -get in some archery practice," Mr. Hatfield remarked. - -To make certain that equipment would be available, Mr. Holloway, one of -the Den Dads, had driven on ahead to set up a target. He had borrowed -several bows for the occasion, and Ross had brought his sets. - -"Ever do any shooting, Dan?" Brad asked his friend as they presently -approached the bank property. - -"A little, but it was more than a year ago. No chance I'll give Ross any -competition for the Robin Hood role." - -"Oh, maybe you will," the older boy encouraged him. "You're good at most -games requiring skill." - -"Ross has had more practice than any of the Cubs." - -"I know," Brad admitted. "He may win the role. I hope not." - -Ross, apparently sensing that he was being discussed, approached the two -boys. Brad and Dan immediately fell silent. - -"Plotting something?" Ross demanded suspiciously. - -"Of course not," Brad replied. Of all the Cubs in the Pack, Ross was the -only one who rubbed him the wrong way. - -"I heard you say something about Robin Hood," Ross declared. "I guess you -figure you'll nail the role for someone in Den 2." - -"Don't be stupid!" Brad exclaimed impatiently. "You heard Mr. Hatfield -say the part will go to the best archer." - -"Who will be chosen through an elimination contest," Dan added. - -"I'll win too, if the competition is fair and square!" - -"Say, you give me a pain!" Brad exploded. "You know very well it will be -on the level. Maybe you think you were cheated when Dan beat you in the -swimming meet last summer?" - -Ross flushed and shifted the archery equipment to another hand. The lost -swimming meet was a sore subject with him. - -Dan had defeated him soundly in a fair race. Ross remembered too that -after the contest the younger boy had been kidnapped by a crook who had -previously tangled with the Cubs. This adventure has been recounted in -the volume entitled, "Dan Carter and the River Camp." - -As a result of his experience with water front thieves, Dan had gained -considerable attention in Webster City. Ross, who liked the limelight, -had rather resented the younger boy's gain in popularity. - -Hence, he was more than ever determined that Dan should not win the -leading role in the Robin Hood play. - -The Cubs presently arrived at the old Lubell property. - -"Mr. Holloway's here," Dan noted, observing the familiar car parked by -the roadside. "He's set up the target too." - -Beyond the clearing which the Den Dad had selected for an archery range, -rose a heavily wooded area. - -"Just like Sherwood Forest in England!" Dan exclaimed. "Say, this place -should be all right for our play!" - -"That castle has atmosphere too," Brad agreed, highly pleased. - -The building was a large, sprawling structure of many towers and turrets. -A luxurious growth of vines covered the walls and blocked off some of the -windows. - -"They say that building has thousands of dollars' worth of imported -marble in it," Brad said, staring at the desolate dwelling. "It's just a -big white elephant now. A pity it never was finished." - -"Mr. Lubell ran out of money?" Dan asked. - -"Yes, he lost every penny he owned and was on charity at the time of his -death. The bank never was able to find a buyer." - -"Unless the property gets some care pretty soon, it will fall into -complete ruin," Dan remarked. - -His attention had been drawn to a smashed window pane. He noticed also -that the foundation of the house had been damaged in several places. -Walls remained in excellent condition however, and also the tall -chimneys. - -"Say, I'll bet that place has some dandy fire places!" he commented. - -The other Cubs had gathered about and were eager to explore. - -"Maybe we can find a ghost," chuckled Red, gazing with keen interest at -the castle cupolas. "Let's see what the place looks like inside, -fellows." - -"Well, I don't know," the Den Chief replied doubtfully. "I didn't say -anything at the bank about exploring the interior." - -"It's easy enough to get in," Red urged. "All one has to do is reach -through one of those broken window panes and unlatch the catch. From the -look of this place, plenty of folks have been in there ahead of us." - -"The bank might not like it," Brad said, holding back. - -Before the Cubs could discuss the question further, Mr. Hatfield and -Burton Holloway called them together. - -"I've been looking over the grounds," Midge's father declared. "This -place will make an almost perfect Robin Hood setting for our movie. The -castle gives just the background touch needed, and will fit in with the -story." - -"A brook runs behind the castle too!" announced Fred, who had made a -brief inspection tour. "The remains of a draw bridge still is there." - -"We can use it in the first scene of our play," Dan declared -enthusiastically. "The one where Robin Hood meets Little John on the -narrow bridge and neither will give way to the other. They fight with -cudgels until, after hours of struggle, Robin Hood topples into the -water." - -"That ought to make a corking scene," approved Midge. He added darkly, -"Especially if Ross is Robin Hood." - -"I don't see why Robin Hood should be the one to get a ducking," Ross -protested as he strung his bow ready for target practice. "Why not have -Little John be the one to lose out?" - -"Because it wasn't that way," Dan told him. "Little John proved himself a -fine fighter and a good shot, so Robin Hood and his merry men allowed him -to join the band." - -"Let's elect Ross the Sheriff of Nottingham," chuckled Chips, in jest. - -"Like fun!" Ross retorted. "Just bring on your target and I'll show you I -can hit the gold band every time." - -Eager to try their skill, the Cubs lined up ready to take instruction -from Mr. Holloway. With the exception of Ross, Dan and Midge, the other -boys had never tried archery. - -"The first thing we learn is how to face the target," the Den Dad -instructed. "Look straight ahead and extend your left arm out to the -side. Heels together. Relax!" - -"Kindergarten stuff," muttered Ross impatiently. - -Ignoring the boy, Mr. Holloway explained the fundamentals of the sport. -He told the boys to draw the string with their first three fingers of the -right hand, avoiding the use of thumb or little finger. - -"When you have the arrow on the string, sight over the arrow point," he -advised. "Don't look up until you hear the arrow hit the target. If you -do, you will miss." - -Midge took his turn first. He drew the string back to his chin, closed -his left eye and let the arrow fly. Ping! - -It struck the target but on the lower rim. After his father had told him -how to correct his aim, Chips took the bow. On the first shot he hit his -left arm with the bowstring, receiving a painful bruise. - -"Remember your fundamentals and that won't occur," Mr. Holloway said. -"Elbow bent, wrist straight, shoulder low, index finger under the jawbone -and the string to the center of the chin." - -Dan's turn came next. His form was excellent despite lack of practice. -Two of his arrows went in the gold and the other four in a group in the -next ring. - -"Not bad, Dan!" Mr. Holloway approved. "Let's see you beat that, Ross." - -Ross confidently took his place in front of the target. With easy grace -he sent an arrow winging on its way. It struck the bull's-eye, causing -the Cubs to cheer lustily. - -"See, didn't I tell you?" Ross demanded. - -He shot two more arrows. Both missed the target completely. - -"I'm a little out of practice," Ross muttered. Instead of shooting the -remainder of his arrows, he handed the bow to a Cubmate from Den 1. - -For nearly an hour the boys practiced, some acquiring the art readily and -others finding it difficult to catch on to the trick of relaxing. - -"We'll definitely assign parts next time," Mr. Hatfield told the boys. -"Off hand, I think Fred will make a good Friar Tuck and Brad could act -the part of Little John." - -"Do I get to be Robin Hood?" Ross demanded. - -"That will be decided later," the Cub leader replied, a trifle annoyed -that the Den 1 boy should make such an issue of the role. "We'll need a -good actor for the part." - -While some of the Cubs remained to practice archery and pose for camera -shots, Dan, Brad, Midge and Ross set off to explore the castle. - -Long shadows extended from the forest to give the castle a shadowy, eerie -appearance. - -"Gosh, the place does have a spooky look," Brad remarked, pulling at the -vines which half-covered one of the lower windows. - -"Let's climb in," proposed Ross, gaining a foothold on one of the stone -blocks. - -"I don't think we should--" Dan began, but Ross cut him short. - -"Oh, the place is wide open. Why shouldn't we go in?" - -Reaching his hand through the broken window pane, he unlatched the catch. -The leaded window swung back on creaking hinges. - -Ross climbed in and helped the others through. - -The Cubs found themselves in the central living room. One wall had been -paneled but the others never had been finished. The main point of -interest was a huge fireplace ornamented with imported tiles in an old -English hunting scene design. - -Crossing to the hearth, Dan gazed curiously up the deep chimney. - -"Filled with old bird's nests," he reported. - -Dan ran a stick part way up the chimney, knocking down some of the -debris. - -"Hey! Quit it," Ross commanded. "You're stirring up an awful dust." - -Dan's stick had lodged between two loose bricks. - -To free it, he reached up and moved the bricks slightly. Much to his -astonishment, one of them pulled out. - -"This old chimney is falling apart," he said. "Either that or--" - -"Or what?" Brad demanded. - -Rather excited, Dan thrust his arm far up the chimney and groped about. - -"Find anything?" Brad demanded eagerly. - -"I'm not sure," Dan murmured, as his fingers continued to explore. "Yes, -I think that brick was set loose on purpose. Sure as shooting, I can feel -a deep niche in the chimney--a hiding place!" - - - - - CHAPTER 3 - Robin Hood's Strong Box - - -Excited by Dan's discovery, the other three boys clustered about him. - -"Let me look up that chimney," Ross said. In his eagerness to see, he -rather rudely shoved Dan aside. - -The Den 1 boy thrust his arm far up the dirty flue, groping about in the -niche. - -"Nothing here," he reported in disgust. "Not a thing." - -"I could have told you that if you'd have given me a chance," said Dan, -still annoyed by the older boy's lack of manners. "It's a dandy hiding -place though, and deserves a name. Let's call it Robin Hood's Strong -Box." - -"You and your kid games!" Ross scoffed. "It's just a hole behind a loose -brick." - -Brad had taken his turn at examining the niche. - -"I'm sure it was built into the chimney as a hiding place," he declared. - -"At any rate, it would make a good one," added Midge, siding with Dan. -"What better name for it than Robin Hood's Strong Box?" - -"All in favor of that name say 'aye'," directed Brad. - -Ross voted a very loud "no" which the other Cubs ignored. - -"The ayes have it," Brad announced. - -As he spoke, the Cubs distinctly heard footsteps in a corridor adjoining -the room where they stood. They listened a moment, thinking that another -Cub had followed them into the house. - -But the footsteps, instead of coming closer, receded. - -"Who's there?" called Brad. "Is that you, Fred?" - -There was no answer. - -Certain that someone had been in the house, the boys quickly went through -the lower rooms. All were deserted. - -"That's funny," Dan said, deeply puzzled. "I was sure I heard someone." - -"It sounded as if whoever it was might have been sneaking up on us too," -Midge added uneasily. - -"Oh, you guys have been reading too much Robin Hood," Ross muttered. -"I've seen enough of this old place. Let's explore outside." - -Dan and the others would have preferred to roam through the mansion for a -while longer. However, to avoid an argument with Ross, they gave in to -him. - -Leaving by the same window through which they had entered, Brad fastened -the catch behind them. - -"I wonder if the bank knows this window is broken?" he remarked. "I think -I'll drop in there tomorrow and tell them." - -"A good idea," approved Dan. "Prowlers could do a lot of damage here." - -In returning to the archery range, the Cubs chose a by-path which led -past a narrow, pebbly brook. - -The ribbon of water was spanned by a narrow bridge constructed from two -logs. - -"Say, this place is made to order for our Robin Hood movie!" Dan -exclaimed as he saw the log bridge. "Just the props we need for a scene -between Robin and Little John!" - -"You'll be Robin Hood, I take it?" Ross cut in, annoyed that the younger -boy should think of all the ideas. - -"Oh, pipe down, Ross!" Brad silenced him. - -"You heard Mr. Hatfield say that role will be chosen after we have an -archery contest." - -"Oh, Ross may play the bridge scene if he wants to," Dan said with a -chuckle. - -"Mighty generous of you," Ross retorted. "You know I'll win the part -anyway." - -"Don't be too sure of that," Midge cut in. "If I remember correctly, you -made that same boast--that you would win--the time we had the swimming -meet. Remember? Dan didn't have much to say, but he came in ahead and won -the cup for the Den." - -"Aw, I was off form that week," Ross muttered. "I won't even need to -practice to beat all the Cubs at archery." - -"Modest, aren't you?" Brad grinned. "Well, time will tell." - -The four boys returned to the archery range where Mr. Hatfield was -instructing the Cubs. He warned them that one might be injured by -thrusting the breast into the way of the bowstring, or by overdrawing. - -"While you are learning, it is better never to practice unless Mr. -Holloway or I can be with you," he advised. - -He added, however, that Ross, Dan, Brad and Midge, who understood fairly -well how to handle a bow, might be excepted from the rule. - -"We've had enough practice for one day, I think," Mr. Hatfield ended the -session. "Now to assign a few of the roles--tentatively, of course." - -"Am I Robin Hood?" demanded Ross. - -"We'll not select that role today," the Cub leader replied. "Probably -before the final choice is made, several boys will be tried out in the -part. Acting ability as well as archery skill is required, you know." - -Mr. Hatfield then announced that Brad had been selected for the role of -Little John. Midge would be Friar Tuck and Chips would play Allan-a-Dale. - -"I want to take at least one scene this afternoon to test out lighting -effects," Mr. Holloway told the boys. "The film probably won't be used in -the final screening, but it will point up some of the defects we must -overcome. Any ideas for a test scene, boys?" - -"Dan has one," grinned Brad. - -"Let's have it," Mr. Holloway invited. - -Dan described the brook with the log bridge. "The setting would be -perfect for a prologue scene between Little John and Robin Hood," he -declared. "But since Robin Hood hasn't been selected--" - -"I want to play the part," Ross broke in. "Dan can take his turn trying -out later on. I want to do the first scene with Brad." - -"All right," agreed Mr. Holloway, his eyes twinkling. "Suppose you -describe the scene, Dan. Tell us what happens." - -"Robin Hood meets Little John at the bridge. Both seek to cross first. To -settle the dispute, they cut themselves cudgels and duel with them on the -log bridge." - -"Little John gets pushed in?" Ross asked with relish. - -"Oh, no," chuckled Dan. "Robin Hood is the loser in this contest, and -tumbles into the soup. Then he blows three blasts on his horn and all the -members of his band swarm out of the forest." - -"I don't think Robin Hood should get a ducking," Ross protested quickly. -"That's not in keeping with the star part." - -"It's in keeping with the story," Mr. Holloway assured him. "We must keep -our script true to fact, you know." - -"Well, I'm not keen to take a ducking," Ross announced. "Dan may do the -first scene. I'll take my turn later." - -"Oh, no you don't!" Chips said quickly. "You asked for the part, so you -get it." - -"We can omit the ducking today," Mr. Holloway settled the matter. "Well, -let's go!" - -He brought his moving picture camera equipment from the car and joined -the boys at the bridge. Brad and Ross armed themselves with sticks cut -from branches of a tree. - -After the scene had been fully discussed, the two boys took their places -on either side of the bridge. The other Cubs from both Den 1 and 2 -remained in the woods, ready to swarm out when Robin Hood should blow -three shrill blasts on his horn. - -"We're minus a horn today, but by our next practice we'll have one," Mr. -Hatfield said. "Also, the Den mothers have promised to help us out by -making Lincoln green woodsmen costumes for all who act in the play." - -The filming of the scene began. Repeatedly Ross had to be warned by Mr. -Hatfield to "take it easy." - -Although the script called for him to be tumbled into the water, he -seemed determined that Brad should be pushed off the log. - -Back and forth Brad and Ross whacked with their sticks as the film -recording was made. - -Mr. Holloway was on the verge of signaling the end of the scene, when the -Den 1 boy made a quick lunge at Brad. The latter moved sideways, failing -entirely to parry the blow with his own stick. - -Caught off balance, Ross fell slightly forward and lost his footing. -Before he could save himself or Brad could offer a helping hand, he fell -sideways into the shallow water. - -As Ross sprawled amid the lily pads, the watching Cubs burst into -laughter. The day was warm and the creek waters exceedingly shallow. The -ducking, they knew, would do the boy no harm, and was a fate quite -deserved. - -"Are you all right, Ross?" Mr. Holloway asked. - -Putting aside his camera, he ran to help the boy. - -Still chuckling at the mishap, the other Cubs gathered around. - -"Brad did that on purpose!" Ross said, angrily pulling off a lily pad -which had plastered against his face. "Look at me!" - -"You're a little dampish," Brad grinned. "I'm sorry you slipped. I didn't -touch your stick, you know." - -"This scene is stupid!" Ross fumed. "I've had enough of Robin Hood for -one day! I'm going home." - -"I'll take you," Mr. Holloway offered sympathetically. "You should get -into dry clothes right away." - -As the two walked toward the parked car, Ross made a sorry sight indeed. -His shoes and trousers were caked with mud and a lily pad still clung to -the back of his shirt. - -"That was a ripping scene," Brad laughed, once Ross was beyond hearing. -"Falling into the brink may cure that know-it-all of wanting to hog the -best scenes. I thought I'd die laughing when he fell in!" - -"You weren't the only one," said Dan in an odd tone of voice. "Did you -hear laughter from the woods?" - -"From the woods?" Brad echoed, rather mystified. "The other Cubs, you -mean?" - -"No," Dan replied soberly. "The laughter came from far off. It was a -strange, almost ghostly laugh. I think it came from the general direction -of the castle." - -"That is queer, Dan. None of the Cubs were over there during the filming -of the brook scene." - -"I know," Dan admitted with an uneasy chuckle. - -"Who do you think it was?" - -"I don't know," Dan replied. "It seems though, that our castle may be -haunted. And by a ghost with a keen sense of humor!" - - - - - CHAPTER 4 - Laughter from the Woods - - -"I didn't hear any laughter from the woods," Brad said, gazing -thoughtfully toward the fringe of trees beyond the castle. "You're sure -you heard it, Dan?" - -"Positive," the younger boy replied. - -"Maybe it was one of the Den 1 Cubs." - -"Everyone was right here watching the filming of the bridge scene. I -checked to make certain." - -"Well, I don't see anyone in the woods," Brad said. "We might take a look -around." - -This proposal appealed to Dan. However, before the two boys could leave -the creek, they heard an automobile drive up from the main road. - -To the surprise of the Cubs, the car stopped nearby. A stout man in a -gray suit alighted and came toward the group. - -"It's one of the bank officials, I'll bet a cookie!" Brad murmured. "Now -what?" - -Curious to learn what the stranger wanted, Mr. Holloway and Ross rejoined -the group of Cubs. The man approached them, addressing Sam Hatfield. - -"Good morning," he greeted the Cub leader, "I am Grover Kain, sent out by -the bank to inspect the grounds here. I see you're getting in a little -archery practice." - -"That's right," agreed the Cub leader. "We need a longer archery field -though." - -Mr. Kain nodded as his gaze roved over the grounds which had grown up -with bushes and were cluttered with brush. - -"I trust you'll be careful about starting fires," he remarked. "The -season is unusually dry and brush presents a hazard. If a fire should -start in this area, it would be most difficult to fight it because of the -scarcity of water." - -Mr. Hatfield assured him that the Cub Scouts would be careful. - -His answer did not entirely satisfy the bank official, who walked about -the premises making note of work that needed to be done. - -"Someone should call that broken window to his attention," Dan suggested. - -"I'll do it," offered Ross. "Having it fixed will spoil a lot of our fun -though." - -Mr. Kain spent nearly ten minutes looking over the property and then -returned to talk to Mr. Hatfield and Midge's father. - -"I don't want to put a damper on your good times here," he said -apologetically. "But in looking over the grounds I am more than ever -impressed with the fire hazard. Boys don't mean to cause trouble, but -they are careless with matches." - -"Not the Cubs," spoke up Mr. Hatfield. "They know and practice the rules -of safety." - -"So much dry brush is a distinct danger. I dislike to say the Cubs can't -use this property, but--" - -"I have an idea," proposed Mr. Holloway, well aware that the bank -official intended to forbid the Cubs from filming their picture on the -grounds. "The boys will pitch in and clear out some of the brush." - -Mr. Kain was both pleased and astonished by the offer. - -"That would be fine!" he declared. "In that case, we have no objection -whatsoever to the property being used." - -The three men discussed what work should be done before Mr. Kain returned -to the city. - -"Let's get at it right away," proposed Brad. "We can map our areas and -have each Cub responsible for a certain section." - -"Why doesn't the bank clean its own rubbish?" Ross growled. "I can't help -because I've got to go home and get into dry clothes." - -"I'll take you," Mr. Holloway offered again. "We'll pick up rakes and -return by lunch time." - -The proposal rather displeased Ross, who never liked to work. But knowing -that the other Cubs would call him a quitter if he made an excuse for not -returning to the castle grounds, he scowled and made no reply. - -After Mr. Holloway and Ross had driven away, the others marked the area -into sections and then set about clearing away the debris. - -Loose brush was accumulated in a large bare spot near the road ready for -burning. The Cubs worked with a will and by the time Ross and Mr. -Holloway came back with garden tools, were fairly well along. - -"Ross, your section is that area behind the castle," Brad gave him his -assignment. - -"My section? Say, I'm all tired out from archery practice and chasing -back and forth. What does that bank guy think we are anyhow? Work -horses?" - -"We gave our promise to clean up the grounds and we're going to do it." - -"Well, I'm tired," Ross said sullenly, flinging himself on the ground. -"Besides, it's almost lunch time." - -"You can clean your section later," Brad consented. "Just so you get the -job done in the next day or so. By the way, you told Mr. Kain about the -broken window?" - -"No, I didn't." - -Then, as Brad fixed him with a disapproving gaze, Ross added with a flare -of temper: "I didn't get a chance to do it. I'll tell him the next time -he comes around." - -"Don't bother," Brad replied shortly. "I'll tell him myself when I see -him." - -As the sun rose higher, all the Cubs began to look forward to lunch. -Unaccustomed to such heavy work, they felt the need of a rest. - -"All right, fellows, knock off," Mr. Hatfield advised them. "You've put -in a big morning. Rest awhile and then we'll eat." - -Dan and Brad took advantage of the lull to roam around the castle. Both -boys were fascinated by its unusual design and old-world appearance. - -"It's queer about that laughter I heard from the woods," Dan commented -thoughtfully. "We've seen no one, and yet I'm sure someone was watching -us." - -"Maybe it came from the castle," Brad suggested, gazing up at the shadowy -turrets. "With that window broken, any tramp could get inside." - -"How about taking another look?" Dan proposed. "We'll have time for a -quick search through the house before lunch." - -"Okay," Brad agreed after a slight hesitation. - -Unfastening the window latch, the boys climbed through. - -As he straightened up, Dan sniffed the air suspiciously. - -"Say, I smell something!" he announced. - -Brad also had noticed the odor. "Smoke!" he agreed. "Something's burning! -It's inside the castle too!" - -Thoroughly alarmed, the boys darted from room to room. Running through a -butler's pantry they came to a huge kitchen with row upon row of shelves. - -At one end of the room was a fireplace. To the amazement of the boys, a -fire had been built there. A few of the larger sticks still smoldered. - -"Someone has been in here since we came!" Brad exclaimed. - -"Do you suppose one of the Cubs could have built the fire, Brad?" - -"The fellows all have been working," Brad replied, deeply puzzled. -"Besides, everyone heard Mr. Kain warn about starting fires." - -Dan had lowered his voice. "This just goes to prove that I was right," he -declared. "I did hear laughter while we were filming the creek scene. -Someone was watching us--either from the woods or this castle." - -"The bird still may be here too, Dan. Let's look around." - -Quietly the boys went from room to room. No one could be found on the -lower floor. Yet as they climbed the circular staircase to the second -floor, Dan again thought he heard faint laughter from below. - -"You imagined it, Dan," Brad insisted. - -"Maybe, but this house has a dozen and one hiding places. It would be -easy for anyone to keep out of our way." - -"I wouldn't want to go through this place at night," Brad said with a -shiver. "It's spooky enough by daytime. The bank will be smart to get -that window fixed and board up the place." - -Decidedly uneasy, the boys tramped from one bed chamber to another. All -the rooms were large and at least half of them had fireplaces. They found -no further evidence that anyone was in the dwelling. - -"Whoever the person was, I think he's taken himself off by now," Brad -said finally. By this time they had examined every room, including the -circular towers at each corner of the building. - -"I guess so," Dan agreed in relief. "Let's go back to the kitchen." - -There, the two boys carefully stamped out the dying embers of the fire. - -Then, after again inspecting the lower floor, they let themselves out -through the window. - -"I hope to see Mr. Kain tomorrow," Brad said as he walked back toward the -archery range. "That broken window should be repaired." - -"Tomorrow's Sunday," Dan reminded him. - -"That's so. Well, I'll make a point of seeing him Monday then. The window -has been broken for a long while, so I suppose another day won't matter -too much." - -The Cubs had spread out their lunch at the base of a large elm tree. Brad -and Dan joined the group and began to eat their sandwiches. As usual, the -conversation reverted to the archery competition. - -"If the Pack expects to win a prize for having the best play, it means -we've got to dig in and work," Mr. Hatfield warned the Cubs. "Our acting -is rough, and a lot of detail has to be worked out." - -"Not to mention our archery," added Brad with a laugh. "We can stand -plenty of target practice!" - -The Cubs finished lunch, rested for a half hour, and then voted to return -to the archery range. - -"Dan, you have a chance to win the part of Robin Hood," Midge encouraged -his friend. "Why don't you get to work and show Ross Langdon you can beat -him a mile!" - -"Easier said than done. He is good and we both know it." - -"Sure," Midge admitted grudgingly. "But don't forget he's lazy. He's so -certain of winning the part, I'll bet he doesn't do much practicing." - -"I'd like the part," Dan said. "I intend to work hard to improve my -shooting. All the same, I haven't much hope." - -The two Cubs were the first to reach the archery range and so had their -choice of bows. - -Dan shot first, placing four of his arrows within the black of the -target. Only two struck the outer rim. - -"You're getting more accurate every time, Dan!" Midge approved, stepping -up to take his turn. - -Three of his arrows missed the target completely. He shot the next three -more carefully, managing to get them on the rim. - -"Friar Tuck would blush with shame if he could see me," Midge laughed -ruefully. "Wow! Am I lousy!" - -The two boys trotted down to the target to retrieve their arrows. - -Midge glanced at the very center of the target face and gasped in -astonishment. - -"Dan, you made a bull's-eye! Your shaft went right to the heart of it!" - -"What?" Dan demanded. "Impossible!" - -"Well, look at the arrow!" - -Dan saw for himself that an arrow had pierced the target padding at its -very center. The shot was a perfect one. - -"Midge, that couldn't have been my shot." - -"Well, it certainly wasn't mine." - -Dan had examined the arrow carefully after removing it from the target. - -"Neither of us shot it," he announced. "See, it's larger than those we -used." - -"The shaft is longer," Midge agreed in awe. "Also, we shot six arrows -apiece." - -"Nine should be in the target, Midge. Instead, there were ten." - -"But who shot the tenth one?" - -Dan had no answer for the question. "It must have been there when we -started shooting," he said slowly. "Probably we didn't notice." - -"Maybe it's one of Mr. Holloway's arrows. Or worse luck--from Ross' bow." - -"Could be," Dan agreed as they picked up their arrows and left the range. -"All the same, I wonder--" - -His gaze roved toward the surrounding woods. - -"You wonder what, Dan?" - -"I don't believe that arrow was shot by any of the Cubs or Mr. Holloway -either," he announced with sudden conviction. - -Midge stared at him in amazement. - -"Who else could have shot it, Dan?" - -"Well, I don't know," the other boy admitted lamely. He was reluctant to -tell Midge about the fire inside the castle until after he had talked -with Mr. Hatfield. - -"You're keeping something to yourself," Midge accused. - -"I'm not sure of a thing," Dan replied, moving off in search of the Cub -leader. "I wish though that we could find the person who shot that arrow! -He's a natural for the role of Robin Hood!" - - - - - CHAPTER 5 - Competition - - -The following Sunday all the Cubs and some of their parents gathered at -the castle grounds to continue work on the play and movie. - -"It's well that the Robin Hood theme was chosen," Mr. Hatfield told the -boys as they set up the archery target. "I've learned that at least -twenty organizations are entering the contest. Furthermore, about half of -them are working on Indian scripts." - -The boys had entered into play acting with tremendous enthusiasm. -Everyone craved to have the Robin Hood role, but it was generally -conceded that it would fall to either Dan or Ross. - -Mr. Holloway took several movie shots of the two Cubs at target practice. -He told them that if they would drop around to his house a few nights -later, all of the films would be run off. - -"It will give us an idea of how we're coming along," he remarked. "We -have a lot of work ahead of us before the play can be whipped into shape -for the final filming." - -Mr. Hatfield explained to the Cubs that as the script was being written, -a shooting match at Nottingham would be one of the outstanding scenes. - -"We can't film this scene until nearly last because we haven't settled -upon who is to be Robin Hood," he declared. "For that reason, it will be -necessary to skip around in the story, shooting a scene whenever we can. -Later on we'll prune out many of them." - -"This preliminary work is more or less to get a line on acting ability," -Mr. Holloway added. "The roles are only temporary." - -"What scene will we film first?" Midge asked his father. - -Mr. Holloway said he had thought of doing one in which the sheriff played -the leading part. - -"You know the story," he refreshed the memories of the boys. "At the -shooting match in Nottingham, Robin Hood disguises himself and wins out -over some of the best shots in England. But after tricking the sheriff, -he wishes to let him know that it was he who had been victorious." - -"Oh, I remember that scene!" cried Dan. "Robin Hood sends Little John and -Will Stutely into the town. While the sheriff and his men are at dinner, -they shoot an arrow onto the table. A scroll is attached to the shaft. -The message reveals that it was Robin Hood who won the shooting match, -disguised as the tattered stranger." - -"We'll have to modify the scene somewhat," Mr. Holloway said. "For one -thing, it will be taken outdoors instead of inside the castle." - -"We could make it inside," interposed Ross. - -Mr. Holloway shook his head. "We have no permission to enter the -building," he reminded the Cub. - -"What will we use for a banquet table?" inquired Brad. - -The Den Dad told the boys he had noticed a roadside picnic table and -bench along the highway, which would serve. - -"I asked permission of the State Highway Dept. to borrow it for an hour," -he said. "We can move it up here, so we'll have the castle for a -background. Then when the scene is finished, we'll carry it back again." - -Brad, Dan, Chips and Fred Hatfield started off to get the table and -bench. - -"Coming, Ross?" Chips asked him. - -"Oh, I've got to do something else," he replied vaguely. - -"I'll go," offered Red Suell. - -Several of the Den 1 boys also offered their services. No comment was -made on Ross' reluctance to help. Each Cub, however, secretly was annoyed -by the other boy's laziness. - -The long wooden table and bench were set up on the brick terrace in front -of the vine-covered castle wall. - -Food and dishes then were brought out from the picnic hampers. - -"We'll shoot the scene two or three times, using different boys in -various parts," Mr. Hatfield declared. "Brad will act the role of Little -John for the first filming. We'll try Ross out as the sheriff--" - -"But I'm to be Robin Hood," the boy broke in. - -"That hasn't been decided yet," the Cub leader reminded him. Ignoring -Ross' scowl, he went on: "Chips will take the part of Will Stutely. The -others will be knights gathered at the festive board." - -"I don't want to be the sheriff," Ross muttered. - -"Oh, forget it, will you?" Brad demanded, losing patience. "A Cub is -supposed to be cooperative." - -The filming of the scene began. Still grumbling at the role which had -been thrust upon him, Ross took his place at the head of the picnic -table. - -As the camera began to grind, Brad, from the nearby thicket, shot an -arrow. His first missed the table completely. On the second try, however, -it dropped squarely amid the dishes. - -"Whence came this?" Ross demanded, speaking the lines which had been -assigned him. - -He picked up the arrow, and removing the scroll, read the message. - -"'Thou didst give the prize to Robin Hood,'" he read aloud. And he added -with gruff hostility: "Wait until I lay my hands on that sneaking -coward!" - -"Cut!" called Mr. Holloway. "Well done, boys!" - -The Cubs praised Ross, for he had spoken the lines of the sheriff -naturally. Also, his sullen manner had suited the character perfectly. - -"You make a swell sheriff," Red praised him. - -"Oh, yeah?" Ross retorted. "Well, don't think you're going to unload that -role on me! I'm going to be Robin Hood." - -Mr. Holloway filmed a scene with Brad and Chips as Little John and Will -Stutely. He then tried out several of the Den 1 boys in the part of the -sheriff. - -However, everyone agreed that Ross had acted the role better than anyone -else. - -"Dan, you ought to be Robin Hood," Brad told him as the two rested under -a tree. "You're a natural for that part, just as Ross is in the role of -sheriff." - -"Try to make him think so!" - -"It's up to Mr. Holloway and Mr. Hatfield to assign the parts." - -"Sure," Dan agreed, chewing at a blade of grass, "but it was decided -Robin Hood should be played by the Cub who proves to be the best shot. -And we both know Ross is tops." - -"It hasn't been proven yet," Brad insisted. "I noticed while you were -practicing a while ago, you're improving fast, Dan. Ross hasn't touched a -bow all day." - -"I'm working hard," Dan admitted. "Honestly though, I think Ross will win -the part." - -"He doesn't deserve it with all his boasting." - -"Maybe not, but he's handy with a bow. And that's what counts. Say--" - -Dan, who was sprawled comfortably on the ground, suddenly sat up. He -gazed steadily toward the bushes behind the castle. - -"What's wrong?" demanded his companion. - -"Nothing, I guess," Dan admitted with a laugh. "For just a minute, I -thought--" - -"You thought what, Dan?" - -"Well, I caught a flash of green over there amid the bushes. I thought I -saw someone peeping out." - -"One of the Cubs probably." - -"It could have been, only it didn't look like any of the fellows." - -"The parents are roaming around the grounds too," Brad reminded him. - -"I know," Dan admitted, "it couldn't have been anything. All the same, it -gave me a start for a second. I had the feeling someone who shouldn't be -here was watching the filming of our play." - -"The ghost of the castle, for instance?" Brad asked, giving him a -sidelong glance. - -"Quit kidding me." - -"You did think you saw someone." - -"Sure," Dan said soberly. "It might have been one of the Cubs, only I -didn't think so. You know, Brad, I've had a queer feeling ever since we -came here." - -"As if someone were watching us?" - -"That's right, Brad. I know it sounds silly." - -"It isn't silly," the older boy replied soberly. "I've had the same sort -of feeling myself." - -"I suppose my imagination was stirred by finding a fire inside the -castle," Dan said. "And then that arrow in the target. It never did match -any of the ones we were using." - -"Someone is hiding out here all right," Brad admitted with sudden -conviction. "Suppose we amble around and see if we can find anyone. No -use worrying the other Cubs." - -Without attracting attention to themselves, the two boys walked over to -the bushes where Dan had seen movement. - -No one was there. Brad found a few footprints. There was no way they -could tell whether or not they had been made by one of the Cubs. For, as -Dan pointed out, the boys of Den 1 and 2 had been everywhere on the -grounds. - -"We'll be smart not to say anything about this to the other fellows," -Brad advised. "No use getting them excited. Especially as it may not -amount to anything." - -"I'll keep mum," Dan promised. "All the same, I'd like to track down our -castle ghost. So far, he's proven as elusive as Robin Hood himself!" - - - - - CHAPTER 6 - Ghost of the Castle - - -The Cubs of Den 2 worked hard the next week making "props" for their -Robin Hood play. Dan assisted Mr. Holloway in blocking out scenes for the -movie, and was told he had done an excellent job. - -"We should have a chance to win first prize in the contest," the Den Dad -declared late one afternoon as the boys met in their clubroom. - -The meeting room of Den 2 was the envy of all the other Cub Scouts in -Webster City. Situated high in a natural cave above the beach, it -afforded a fine view not only of the shoreline, but also the distant Boy -Scout camp on Skeleton Island. - -"Yes, the play is rapidly whipping into shape," declared Sam Hatfield. -"Right now, our crying need is for costumes." - -"I thought the mothers were going to help us out," Dan remarked. - -"They have agreed to," the Cub leader answered. "That is, they'll sew the -costumes. However, there's a little item of buying materials." - -"Can't each Cub provide his own?" - -"I was going to suggest that," nodded Mr. Hatfield. "I feel though, that -the money should be earned by each boy. It wouldn't be fair to ask the -parents to pay for our costumes--especially as some of them will be -rather elaborate." - -The Cub leader explained to the other boys his plan and no one raised any -objection. Chips and Red however, were uncertain how they would earn the -necessary money. - -"Well, you might try cutting lawns, gathering papers, or running -errands," Mr. Hatfield suggested. "Give it a little thought. I'm sure you -can come up with some idea." - -"How soon must we have the money?" Midge asked. - -Mr. Hatfield said he thought it should be turned in not later than a -week. - -"The mothers will need the materials to start sewing the costumes," he -declared. "Deadline for the contest is the twenty-fifth of the month." - -After the meeting broke up, Brad and Dan sauntered down the street -together, discussing how they would earn their money. - -"My Dad has been after me to clean the basement," Brad remarked. "Maybe I -can get fifty cents for that job. It will be a start." - -"All the odd jobs around our place are cleaned up," Dan said -thoughtfully. "It looks as if I'll have to get out and hustle." - -That very afternoon, he called on several neighbors, offering to wash -windows or the family car. In each instance, he was politely but firmly -turned down. - -Rather discouraged, Dan then appealed to his mother. - -"Maybe I can think up some job if you give me a little time," she said to -encourage him. "Off hand I can't think of a thing. Usually, you're two or -three jobs ahead of me." - -When Dan went to the drugstore at six o'clock to get a newspaper for his -father, he met Fred. - -"How you coming on earning money?" the boy asked him. - -"No luck yet," Dan admitted. "Jobs seem to be mighty scarce." - -"I ran an errand and picked up a quarter," Fred told him. "But that's all -I've been able to earn so far. Red and Chips are having a tough time -too." - -"Webster City must suddenly have been hit by a depression, Fred. I wonder -how the Den 1 boys are getting their costumes?" - -"Dad told me they're earning their money too." - -"Well, I hope they have better luck than we're having." - -As Dan spoke, a voice behind him demanded: "Better luck at what?" - -Dan and Fred turned around to see Ross Langdon standing behind them. His -bicycle was parked outside the drugstore. Over his shoulder was slung a -paper carrier's sack. - -"We were talking about earning money for our Robin Hood costumes," Fred -explained. - -"The trouble with you fellows is you don't have any hustle and get-up," -Ross taunted them. "Now me--I'll have no difficulty raising any amount." - -"Your father will give it to you, I bet!" Dan said. - -"Not on your life. I'm earning it." - -"How?" demanded Dan and Fred together. - -Ross tapped the canvas case over his shoulder. - -"I've taken on a paper route," he explained. "I start with eight -customers. Probably by the end of the week, I'll have twenty or thirty. -That will give me a nice profit." - -Despite themselves, the other two Cubs were impressed. - -"How long have you had the route?" Fred demanded. - -"I just started. My father got it for me through a friend." - -"Gee! You're lucky," Dan said without envy. "Wish I could land one too. -Any chance?" - -"Not the slightest," Ross answered loftily. "You have to think up your -own ideas." - -"Sure, I guess so," Dan admitted goodnaturedly. "Well, I'm glad you're -all set. Running a paper route should be profitable, but it will mean -hard work." - -"Oh, I don't know," Ross shrugged. "On my bike it shouldn't take long to -make deliveries. It's a cinch! And watch the money roll in. I'll buy -myself a super Robin Hood costume that will knock your eye out! No -home-made affair for me! Not on your life!" - -Having delivered himself of this, Ross smiled in a superior way and -ambled off. - -"Even if that guy is a Cub, he makes me sick!" Fred muttered when the boy -was beyond hearing. "He won't last long at a paper route." - -Dan did not think so either. But he pointed out Ross probably would stick -to the job until he had acquired enough to buy the Robin Hood costume. - -"If he's able to buy a good one, and I come up with a make-shift, that -cinches the role for him, Fred." - -"Don't kid yourself," the other returned. "Dad won't give the part to -Ross just because he can dig up the best costume. He'll have to prove -he's the better actor and archer." - -Dan paid for the newspaper and the boys left the drugstore together. - -"Don't forget we're to go to Mr. Holloway's house tomorrow night," Fred -reminded as they parted. "He's promised to run off those first movie -scenes we took at the castle." - -"I'll be there," Dan promised. - -The Den Dad had invited all the boys of both Den 1 and 2 to his home. On -the following night not a single Cub was absent from the meeting, for all -were eager to view the films. - -"How'd they turn out, Mr. Holloway?" Dan asked eagerly. - -"Not bad," the Den Dad replied. "In one of the scenes though--a mystery -has cropped up." - -"A mystery?" - -"I'll let the boys discover it for themselves," Mr. Holloway replied. -"We'll see whose eyes are sharp enough to spot it!" - -Deeply puzzled by the Den Dad's remark, the Cubs plied him with -questions. To all he made the same answer: "Wait and see." - -Mr. Holloway had hung up a screen in the downstairs recreation room. The -boys gathered in a semi-circle in front of it and waited impatiently for -the showing of the film. - -The room was darkened. After testing out the focus, Mr. Holloway ran -through the first scene that had been taken at the creek. - -The Cubs howled with laughter as they watched the duel between Brad and -Ross. As the latter tumbled into the water with a mighty splash, their -mirth could not be controlled. - -"Heck! I don't think it's that funny," Ross protested. - -Mr. Holloway ran off other scenes in rapid order. The Cubs remarked that -Dan's acting was especially good and that Brad too had acted his role -well. - -"What's that mystery you were telling us about?" Midge demanded when only -one more scene remained to be shown. - -"Wait and see," smiled Mr. Holloway. "Watch sharp now." - -Again the room was darkened. Mr. Holloway began the showing of the -banquet scene with the castle and forest as background. - -"Say, Ross is good as the Sheriff of Nottingham!" exclaimed Midge. "It's -a natural part for him." - -"Like fun!" growled Ross. "I'm to be Robin Hood." - -So engrossed were the boys in watching for themselves in the scene, that -almost before they realized it, the film had been run off. - -"Well?" inquired Mr. Holloway. "Who caught it?" - -"Caught what?" asked Red in perplexity. - -"I didn't notice anything," declared Chips. - -Dan spoke quietly. "I'm not sure, Mr. Holloway. The film went so fast. -But I thought I did see something unusual." - -"Aw, you're making that up!" challenged Ross. "What did Bunny Bright Eyes -see?" - -"It wasn't in the foreground," Dan said slowly. "Just for an instant, I -thought I caught a flash of a face back in the bushes." - -"So what?" demanded Ross, getting up from the floor. "Cubs were all over -the place." - -"This didn't look like one of our boys. The face wasn't clear, but I'm -sure it was no one I'd ever seen before." - -As Ross was on the verge of making another jibe, Mr. Holloway said -quickly: - -"Dan is right. The camera lens picked up an extra character." - -Dan and Brad exchanged a glance, as the same thought occurred to them. - -"Then I didn't imagine that someone was hiding out in the bushes watching -us!" Dan exclaimed. "It must have been that crack-shot--the ghost of the -castle!" - - - - - CHAPTER 7 - A Mysterious Arrow - - -Dan's observation about seeing an extra person in the background of the -film greatly excited the other Cubs. - -"Show the scene again," they begged Mr. Holloway. - -The Den Dad re-threaded the film into the projection machine and ran it -through at slow speed. - -"There he is!" suddenly exclaimed Dan, catching the first glimpse of the -unfamiliar face in the scene. - -Before he obtained a definite impression of the person, the figure had -ducked back into the bushes. - -"Golly!" exclaimed Red in amazement. "Where did _he_ pop from?" - -"Couldn't it have been one of the Cubs from Den 1?" demanded Fred. - -Dan reminded the boys that during the filming of the banquet scene all of -the Cubs had taken part. - -"Someone was watching us from the bushes," Brad confirmed the younger -boy's opinion. "Too bad we didn't get a clearer impression of him." - -At the request of the Cubs, Mr. Holloway ran through the film a third -time. However, it was impossible for anyone to identify the stranger in -the scene. - -Mr. Holloway, Dan and Brad were of the opinion that the intruder was -another boy. The others thought he had looked older and might be a man. - -"At any rate, we know there's a little substance to our 'ghost of the -castle,'" Dan laughed. "Maybe next time we're out there, we can catch -him. I don't like the idea of being spied on." - -Mr. Holloway and Mr. Hatfield devoted some time to discussing the various -scenes of the play with the boys, pointing out where improvement could be -made. - -"For the movie we'll need titles," the Den Dad explained. "Also, it will -be necessary to do a great deal of editing and cutting in the final -version. We'll need a committee." - -"Make Dan chairman," suggested Brad. "He knows the Robin Hood story -better than anyone." - -"I'll appoint Dan, Red and Chips," Mr. Holloway said. "There will be -plenty of work to do because we must start the final filming by next -Saturday." - -"Which reminds me that we'll have to speed up the archery contest," added -Sam Hatfield. "To avoid argument, the winner of the match shall have the -role of Robin Hood." - -"Fair enough," grinned Dan. - -Aware that costumes for the play would be needed in a hurry, the boys -promised to turn their money in as quickly as possible so that materials -could be bought. - -During the early part of the week, the Cubs of both Den 1 and 2 canvassed -the neighborhoods, seeking odd jobs. - -As Dan already had observed, they were discouragingly scarce. - -Except for Ross Langdon, not a single Cub was certain of earning the -amount needed within a short period of time. - -"What we should have is a project all the boys can work on together," -Brad declared one night as he and Dan discussed the problem. - -"We might gather and sell papers." - -"The market has collapsed. I've already investigated that job -possibility." - -"At this time of year, all the odd jobs are taken," Dan said gloomily. -"It's so dry, even the lawns hardly need cutting." - -"I know," Brad agreed. "City Council has warned folks to go easy on using -water. The pressure is low. Every vacant lot with so many dried weeds -presents a hazard." - -Dan stared at the older boy, as an idea suddenly came to him. - -"Say, maybe that's the ticket!" he exclaimed. - -"What is, Dan? I don't follow you." - -"Why, maybe the Cubs could get a job from the city cutting weeds!" - -"The city has its own crew." - -"Sure, but not half of the outlying areas have been mowed. I read in the -paper yesterday, the city is having trouble finding workers." - -Brad thought the matter over. "We never could sell our services to the -city," he said. "But we might get individual jobs for the -Cubs--especially from real estate men who have considerable vacant -property." - -"There's a lot of it near the castle," Dan recalled. "We might be able to -round up a few jobs in that area." - -The two boys discussed the matter with the other Cubs. Very few of the -organization members had been successful in earning enough money. -Everyone except Ross Langdon immediately favored the project. Ross -declared that to cut weeds would inflame his nose and bring on an attack -of hay fever. - -"Anyway, I have more than enough money now for my Robin Hood costume," he -said smugly. "No weed cutting for me." - -"Okay," Brad shrugged. "Suit yourself. Don't forget though, that you have -a section of ground at the castle to clear before next Saturday. We gave -our promise to the bank that it would be done." - -The next morning, Brad and Dan set out to see how many jobs they could -obtain for the Cubs. - -After trying four places, they were given the promise of one small one. -With all the Cubs working, Brad calculated it would not take an hour for -the boys to clean up the premises. - -"We'll need at least another sizeable job to make it worth while," Dan -commented as the two boys paused for a moment on the highway. "But where -will we get it?" - -Brad had noticed a well-kept property directly ahead on the right-hand -side of the road. Orchards were surrounded by an artistically built -wooden rail fence. - -However, tall dried weeds had grown about the rails. Should a fire start -from a dropped match or cigarette, not only the fence, but the orchard as -well might be damaged. - -"Let's try that place ahead," Brad proposed. "We could grub out those -weeds by hand in two or three hours. It would make the grounds look -better and eliminate a fire hazard." - -The boys could not see the house from the main road. - -Seeking it, they followed a winding lane through attractively laid out -grounds. Presently, they came within view of a large white house with two -pillars supporting the veranda. - -In their immediate path was a small one room shack which evidently served -as a gardener's tool house. - -"Well, I hope someone is home," Dan remarked. "We've had a long, hard -walk." - -Even as he spoke, a short, wiry man in overalls came out of the -gardener's house. - -"You boys want something?" he asked, blocking their way. - -"Why, yes," said Brad. He explained that he and Dan were Cub Scouts in -search of odd jobs for their organization. - -"Well, there's nothing here for you," the man answered briefly. - -"We'd like to talk to the owner of the property, if you please." - -"You can't see him. The master doesn't like visitors." - -"Who is the owner?" inquired Dan curiously. - -"Never mind. The point is, you'll find no work here. I attend to all the -odd jobs." - -"You do fine at keeping the property in order," declared Brad, his gaze -roving over the well-trimmed shrubs. "But we noticed one little thing you -overlooked." - -"Oh, you did, eh?" Despite Brad's polite manner, the gardener was growing -more and more irritated. - -Trying to be as diplomatic as possible, the boys told of their need to -earn money for costumes. They then mentioned the uncut weeds along the -front fence, stressing the danger of fire. - -"I have enough to do around here without pulling those weeds!" the man -exclaimed. "What's more, I won't take it on." - -"That's where we come in," said Brad. "For a very moderate fee, the Cubs -will do a good job of cleaning them out." - -"Oh, no you won't!" The gardener now was very angry. "You're trying to -make me look bad with the boss. Well, you can't see him! Now get out of -here before I let the dogs loose!" - -"You have us all wrong," Dan protested. "We're not trying to get anyone -into trouble. But the work should be done and--" - -"Get out!" - -Dan would have stood his ground, but Brad pulled him away. - -"Come on, Dan," he said quietly. "We'll find another place. No use -stirring up trouble." - -Feeling very annoyed at having been so rudely dismissed, the two boys -started away. They rounded a point in the road which blocked off their -view of the gardener and the tool house. - -"That stupid lug!" Brad snorted. "He's afraid we'll make him look bad!" - -As the boy spoke the words, an object whizzed through the air. Flying -high above his head, it lodged in a tree at the side of the lane. - -"What was that?" Brad demanded, startled. - -"An arrow!" Dan exclaimed. "Say! Someone is using us for a target! We'd -better take cover!" - - - - - CHAPTER 8 - Expert Shooting - - -Rather alarmed, Brad and Dan looked quickly behind them. - -The roadway was clear. Nor could they see anyone hiding in the bushes. -They were certain however, that the arrow had been shot from that -direction. - -"It's a joke, I guess," Brad said a bit unnerved. "Either that, or the -gardener is taking this way of getting even." - -After a moment, the boys went over to the tree and pulled out the arrow -from the tree where it had lodged. - -"Say!" Dan exclaimed. "This looks like the arrow that was shot into our -target the other day at the castle!" - -"It is the same size and shape!" - -"We're not far from the castle grounds either, Brad." - -"That's so. You know, I don't like the idea of anyone shooting over our -heads, Dan. The arrow may have been aimed high on purpose, but it's a -dangerous trick." - -"It sure is. Do you think the gardener would do a trick like that?" - -"He certainly wanted us to leave. We didn't make any trouble about it -though. So I can't see why he'd shoot an arrow." - -"Even if he didn't, he may know who the archer is," Dan said, slipping -the shaft into his pocket. "Let's go back to the tool house and ask him -point-blank." - -"We-ll--" - -"This is a free country," Dan argued. "No one has a right to be shooting -arrows at us." - -"All right, we'll ask him," Brad consented. "We are trespassing though, -and he's within his rights to order us off the property." - -Uncertain of the reception they might receive, the two boys rapidly -retraced their steps to the tool house. In walking they kept a sharp -watch of the bushes. Once Dan thought he heard a giggle from the shadowy -woods. But he saw no one. - -As the boys reached the tool house, the door suddenly swung open. - -The Cubs again found themselves confronted by the gardener. - -"Back again?" he demanded unpleasantly. "Didn't I tell you to get on the -move?" - -"We started all right," Brad replied. "Then someone shot at us from -behind!" - -"What d'you mean? Shot at you?" - -Dan produced the arrow. - -"Oh, that," the gardener shrugged. - -"Maybe you've seen an arrow like this before?" Brad inquired. - -"Maybe I have," the man answered unpleasantly. "Then again, maybe I -ain't. Now will you get off this property, or have I got to call the -police?" - -"We'll go, but first we want to know about this arrow," Dan said -stubbornly. "Did you shoot it?" - -"No, I didn't," the gardener retorted. "I got other things to do than -shoot arrows." - -"Maybe you have a son--" Brad began, but the man interrupted. - -"No, I don't have a son," he said. Uneasily the man glanced toward the -veranda where an elderly looking gentleman had appeared. "Now get going, -or I'll call the police! This is your last warning." - -Thoroughly disgusted, Brad and Dan moved away. At the bend in the lane, -they glanced back and saw that the elderly man remained on the porch, -watching them. Evidently he was the owner of the property, they thought. - -"We should have appealed to him," Brad said. "For some reason, Old -Sourpuss didn't want us to talk to his employer. Probably he's afraid -we'll drop a word to the master about how he's allowed the weeds to -flourish." - -Approaching the place where the arrow had been shot, the boys walked -warily. Nothing happened. Nor did they see anyone hiding amid the bushes. - -Safely, Dan and Brad reached the main road. - -"Who do you suppose shot that arrow?" Dan speculated. "I don't believe it -was the gardener, and he said he has no son." - -Brad could not venture a guess. He agreed with Dan, however, that the -arrow appeared to be identical with the one that had been shot into the -target at the castle grounds. - -The meeting with the gardener had discouraged the two boys. After talking -it over, they decided to abandon looking for work that day. - -"We have one job lined up at any rate," Dan declared. "That will keep the -Cubs busy and provide a little money." - -On the following day, the boys of Den 2 joined forces to clear away the -weeds and dry grass at the Wilkinson estate. So well did they do the -work, that the owner engaged them to clean another larger area for him. - -By the end of the day, the Cubs had netted enough to buy the materials -for their costumes. - -All that week Dan spent as much time as he could on the archery range -near his home. He and Midge practiced too at the Holloway home, with Mr. -Holloway offering expert instruction. - -"You've improved remarkably," the Den Dad praised Dan. "Just don't get -excited Saturday, and you may yet win the role of Robin Hood." - -On Saturday, not only the Cubs of both dens but the parents as well, -gathered to witness the shooting contest. - -Mr. Holloway had brought along his movie camera and planned to record the -match. - -"We'll run the contest off as much as possible as it was done at -Nottingham Town," Mr. Hatfield announced. "However, the winner shall have -the role of Robin Hood." - -"Review the scene for us, please," Midge requested the Cub leader. - -Mr. Hatfield explained that the Sheriff of Nottingham had planned the -shooting contest as a trick to capture Robin Hood. Because the outlaw was -known never to miss an important match, it was believed that he would not -fail to appear. - -"On the sidelines we have the sheriff and his men," the Cub leader said. -"When the herald blows a blast, the archers take their places. How many -are to compete for the role?" - -Only four boys had decided to try for it. Besides Dan and Ross, Midge and -Clyde Jennings, a boy from Den 1, had finally asked for a chance at the -part. - -"Each boy will shoot only six arrows," the Cub leader instructed. "And -the one having the highest total is the winner." - -Clyde Jennings stepped to the line. His first three arrows missed the -target entirely. The final three barely caught in the outer rim. - -"That finishes me," muttered Clyde, deeply humiliated. "I never did that -bad before. Having so many people watching, made me nervous." - -Midge's turn came next. He drew his bow quickly but did not take as -careful aim as he might have done. The arrow netted him only three -points. - -On the next five shots Midge used more care. Even so, he wound up with a -total of 20 points. - -"I'm out of it," he whispered to Dan. "Unless you can come through, Ross -will be Robin Hood." - -The crowd became quiet as Ross picked up his bow. His first two arrows -landed squarely in the gold of the target. - -Ross grinned at his own success and winked at one of the Cubs. - -But his next shot was wild, barely catching the outer rim of the target. -On his fourth arrow he recovered form somewhat, managing to net seven -points. - -His total score read: 991753 or six arrows shot for a total of 34 points. - -"Nice going, Ross," praised Dan. "I don't think I can better it." - -The Den 1 boy's response was a proud smile. He too felt that Dan couldn't -beat him. - -"Shoot as well as you can, Dan," Midge whispered into his ear. "Our play -will be ruined if Ross is made Robin Hood." - -Dan deftly fitted the feather of the arrow to his bowstring. Taking aim -carefully, he let speed the shaft. Straight it flew, but missed the -target by a scant inch and nose-dived into a hillock. - -The Cubs of Den 2 emitted a loud moan. Ross smiled broadly. He was -confident now of victory. - -Outwardly unmoved, Dan again took aim, deliberately lowering his sight. -Again the arrow flew straight from his bow, landing in the gold. - -"Nine points!" shouted Midge, tossing his cap into the air. "Keep 'er -up." - -Dan shot twice more in rapid succession. Both arrows landed in the -yellow. The boy now had shot four times for a total of 27 points. - -"Do it again, Dan!" yelled Red. - -Dan, however, was less sure of himself on the next shot. The arrow dug -into the target on the rim of the gold. - -Lest there be any argument, Mr. Hatfield ruled that it had fallen within -the next band of color. Dan was awarded 7 points. - -"That ties the score!" whooped Midge. "You'll win easily now, Dan." - -The words unnerved Dan. As he raised his bow to make the final shot, he -could feel his arm tremble. When he finally released the arrow, it missed -the target. - -"Buck fever," Dan laughed, putting down his bow. "I guess I deserve to -lose out to Ross." - -"But you haven't," Mr. Hatfield informed him. "You're both tied with 34 -points. Now you'll have to shoot again." - -Ross had jumped up from the grass. "I don't want to do that," he -protested. "My arm is sore. I hit the target every time while Dan missed -twice. Doesn't that prove--" - -"Not a thing," said Mr. Hatfield. "Well, Ross, if you're unwilling to -shoot again, suppose we settle it by drawing lots?" - -"Okay," the boy agreed after hesitating a moment. "I'm pretty lucky." - -"How about you, Dan? Are you willing to settle it by drawing cuts?" - -"That's fair enough," Dan agreed. "For that matter, I'm willing to give -the part to Ross. Honestly, I feel he's the better shot." - -"Ross will make an excellent Sheriff of Nottingham," returned Mr. -Hatfield, preparing several strips of paper for the "draw." "So we'll -decide the matter by lot." - -The Cub leader told the boys that the one who received the shorter stub -of paper should be declared winner. - -Ross took his turn first. After studying the slips which Mr. Hatfield -held half-concealed in his hand, he finally drew one forth. - -In length, it appeared fairly short. - -Dan's turn came next. Thinking that Ross already had won, he selected a -slip carelessly. To his astonishment, it was a stub end--at least two -inches shorter than the paper the other boy had drawn. - -"Dan wins!" cried Chips gleefully. - -Ross was too crestfallen to speak. He started to say that the contest -hadn't been fair, but choked off the words. After all, he had protested -at shooting a second time, and had favored drawing lots. - -"I'm sorry, Ross," Dan said, noticing the other's keen disappointment. -"If it means so much to you, keep the role." - -Ross shook his head and tried to grin. - -"No, you won the part and it's yours for good," he said. - -"Well spoken, Ross," said Mr. Hatfield, clapping him on the back. "A Cub -has to be a good sport about losing out. You'll be an asset to the play -as the Sheriff of Nottingham." - -"Oh, sure," Ross murmured, smiling weakly. - -The Cubs started toward the target, intending to retrieve their arrows. - -Before they could cross the range, three arrows were shot in rapid -succession over their heads. Each lodged in almost the center of the -target. - -Amazed, the boys whirled around. The archer who had sent the arrows -winging had drawn his bow from a long distance away. But he was nowhere -in sight. - -"Who shot those arrows?" Mr. Hatfield demanded. "That was real shooting!" - -"I think they came from that clump of bushes to the right!" Brad -exclaimed. "It must be that mysterious fellow who's always taking shots -over our heads. Let's nab him." - -Thus urged, the Cubs made a dash for the clump of foliage. - - - - - CHAPTER 9 - A Neglected Duty - - -Surrounding the area from which the arrows had been shot, the Cubs closed -in. - -But, after whipping through the bushes, they were unable to find the -mysterious archer. - -"The fellow knew we would be after him," Brad remarked, carefully looking -about on the ground for telltale clues. "He must have run off the moment -he shot the arrows." - -"He's good too," spoke up Ross. "Better than our champion, Dan Carter." - -From the Den 1 boy's tone, it was evident that he still smarted under -loss of the star role in the play. Dan, however, refused to be annoyed. - -"He's a lot better shot than I am," he agreed. - -"We ought to find him and let him take the part," Ross went on, -determined to make the Den 2 boy feel uncomfortable. "He'd show us some -real shooting." - -"I wish we could trail him," Dan replied. "He'd be an asset to our play." - -"He must be a youngster too," added Brad, pointing to several footprints -he had found beside a bush. "See, his shoe is shorter than mine." - -The cluster of footprints appeared in a tiny clearing which gave an -unobstructed view of the target. - -"He must have stood here when he shot those three arrows," Brad said. -"The question is, which way did he go?" - -Some of the Cubs were for combing the entire wooded section. However, Mr. -Hatfield, who had followed the boys, advised against such action. - -"The person easily could elude us, for apparently he knows the trails -well," he declared. "Furthermore, we have work to do. Now that Dan -definitely has been chosen as Robin Hood, we must begin to whip our play -into shape." - -"How about the other roles?" asked Midge. "Who is to be the Sheriff of -Nottingham?" - -"We've decided to give that role to Ross." - -"I knew it!" Ross muttered. "Why can't I be Allan-a-Dale?" - -"We're not ready for the scenes in which that character appears," the Cub -leader explained patiently. "You'll make a fine sheriff. Besides, Mr. -Holloway tells me we'll be able to refilm the banquet scene with no -change except the addition of costumes." - -"Oh, fine!" Ross grumbled. - -Returning to the clearing, all the Cubs worked hard for the next hour and -a half. As the archery contest had been the main attraction, many of the -parents began to drift away. - -By mid-afternoon, only the Cubs and a few of their fathers remained. The -boys were reacting a scene which had given them trouble, when Red called -attention to a car that had driven into the grounds from the main road. - -"Why, that looks like Mr. Kain," Dan remarked. "I guess he drove out to -see what we're doing here." - -"He probably wants to make certain we aren't doing any damage," added -Red. - -Mr. Kain alighted from his car and sauntered over to the group. After -speaking to several of the boys, he asked for Mr. Hatfield. - -"He went off somewhere for a minute," Brad replied. "Anything we can do?" - -"Well, I merely drove out to see that everything was under control here," -the bank employee answered. "I see you've cleared away this area in front -of the castle very efficiently." - -"Yes, sir," agreed Brad, pleased by the praise. "A Cub always keeps a -promise." - -"I'll look around a bit. Don't mind me, boys. Go on with whatever you -were doing." - -Mr. Kain wandered off in the general direction of the castle and vanished -from view. Belatedly, it occurred to Brad that he had neglected to tell -the bank man about the broken window. - -"I'll do it before he leaves," he thought. - -The scene upon which the Cubs were working finally was finished. -Satisfied with the filming, Mr. Holloway told the boys to snatch a brief -rest. - -Brad took advantage of this period to go in search of Mr. Kain. The man -had been gone so long that the boy wondered what had detained him. - -As he rounded a corner of the vine-covered castle, he came upon the bank -employee. Mr. Kain was gazing at the broken window. - -"Well!" he remarked, seeing Brad. "When we gave the Cub Scouts permission -to use this property, we assumed they would exercise care." - -"We did, too," replied Brad, ready to defend the organization. "If you're -referring to that broken window, we didn't smash it." - -"No? I don't recall seeing that it was broken when I inspected the -premises a few days ago." - -"It was though," Brad assured him. "I meant to tell you about it, but -forgot." - -"Indeed?" Mr. Kain spoke coldly. "It seems the Cubs forget quite a few -things." - -"I don't know what you mean," Brad said. "It's the truth, we didn't smash -the window. When we first came here, we found it broken. Vines covered -the panes, so it wasn't noticed." - -"Since then, the Cubs have been going in and out whenever they felt like -it." - -"I guess we did roam around a bit inside," Brad admitted. "But no harm -was done. I'm sure of that." - -"I'll see that the window is repaired. However, there are other matters -that concern me. Your failure to keep a promise, for instance." - -Brad was dumbfounded. "My promise?" he echoed. "Why, I don't know what -you mean, Mr. Kain." - -"A promise was given me that if I allowed the Cub Scouts to use this -property, all the dead brush would be cleared away." - -"We did the job too," Brad said indignantly. "You said yourself we worked -very efficiently." - -"You did as far as clearing space for an archery range. I'll admit that -the grounds look very well out front where they show. But the area behind -the castle hasn't been touched. And the fire hazard is greater there than -elsewhere." - -"Why, I thought all the work had been done," Brad said in dismay. "Show -me the place you mean." - -"Gladly." - -Mr. Kain led the Den Chief to the section of the estate which had been -assigned to Ross to clear. - -"I don't wonder you're annoyed, Mr. Kain," Brad said as he viewed the -untouched accumulation of brush. "This area was assigned to one of the -boys from Den 1. I thought the work had been done." - -"Unless the Cubs keep their promises, I can't allow them to continue to -use the grounds." - -"The work will be done no later than tomorrow," Brad promised grimly. -"I'll give you my word." - -The Den Chief's straightforward manner impressed the bank employee. - -"Very well," he said, satisfied by the promise. "The Cubs may continue to -use the grounds here, provided the work is done by tomorrow night. If -not, I'm afraid I'll have to put my foot down. The truth is, some of the -bank officials aren't much in favor of the Cubs roaming around here. If -any damage should be done, we'll have to ask you to leave." - -"We'll take precautions," Brad promised again. - -Mr. Kain did not wait to see Mr. Hatfield, but went directly to his car. -As he bade Brad good-bye, however, he warned once more that he would be -back within a day or two to make another inspection. - -Scarcely had the car driven away than Dan sought his friend to learn what -was wrong. - -"Plenty!" Brad snapped. "That lazy Ross Langdon really has fouled us up -this time! We're apt to get bounced from here, and all because he didn't -attend to the work assigned him." - -"Golly, if we had to leave here with only part of our play filmed, we'd -be sunk," Dan murmured. "Let's put the bee on Ross right now." - -The two boys sought the Den 1 Cub, who at the moment was being measured -for his sheriff's costume. His paper route had provided a substantial sum -for the purchase of materials which Mrs. Holloway had offered to sew. - -Ross, however, could not make up his mind whether he wanted a home-made -costume or one he might purchase. - -"I think I could make you a very nice outfit," Mrs. Holloway told the -boy. - -"I want a jerkin and seagreen hose," Ross declared. "Also a cap with a -feather." - -"Don't you think we should omit the feather?" Mrs. Holloway suggested. -"After all, it won't do for you to look too much like Robin Hood." - -"Yes, but I want a feather," Ross argued. "Can't I have it?" - -Before Mrs. Holloway could answer, Brad and Dan came up. - -"If the fitting is over, we want to see you a minute," Brad said to the -boy. - -"What for?" he demanded suspiciously. - -"Oh, you'll find out," Brad said. - -Mrs. Holloway, whose patience had been worn by Ross' insistent demands, -declared that she had finished taking measurements. Rather reluctantly, -the Den 1 boy followed Brad and Dan across the clearing. - -"Where you taking me?" he asked. - -"Just come along," Brad returned shortly. - -As the boys rounded the castle, Ross began to catch on to what was in -store. - -"Oh, you're going to rag me about not getting the brush cleaned up," he -guessed. "Well, I've been too busy with my paper route. Three customers -kicked yesterday because their papers were delivered late. I've no time -to be doing grubby work out here." - -"The rest of us have work too," Brad retorted. "By not doing what you -were supposed to, you got us in bad with Mr. Kain." - -"Unless the brush is cleared away by tomorrow night, the Cubs stand to -lose the use of this property," Dan added severely. - -"Wouldn't that be too bad?" Ross drawled. "Then you wouldn't get the role -of Robin Hood!" - -Brad whirled around to glare at the Den 1 boy. - -"You're acting like a spoiled brat, Ross!" he said curtly. "You promised -to clear your section of land and you're going to do it or get out of the -Pack! We don't want a Cub who doesn't do his part or keep a promise." - -The words shocked Ross. "You wouldn't kick me out--" he stammered, and -then with more confidence, he added: "You couldn't anyhow! You haven't -the authority." - -"Wait until Mr. Hatfield hears about this!" - -"So you're a tattler, Brad?" - -"No, I'm not," the Den Chief replied hotly. "I just want to bring you to -a realization of your responsibility to the organization." - -"Aw, you're taking it too seriously." - -"It will be a serious matter if we lose this site after all the work -we've done here." - -"Oh, keep your shirt on!" Ross retorted. Angrily, he turned and started -away from the two boys. - -"You're refusing to do the work?" Brad called after him. - -"Who said I was?" Ross flung over his shoulder. "It will be done. Just -don't rush me." - - - - - CHAPTER 10 - Checking Up on Ross - - -Ross' exasperating reply left Dan and Brad as much in doubt as ever. - -Was the Den 1 boy merely putting them aside, or did he intend to do the -work assigned to him? - -"Let's report him to Mr. Hatfield," Dan proposed. "He's stalling." - -Brad was unwilling to trouble the Cub leader about the matter unless he -found it impossible to reason with Ross. - -"I think he intends to clean up the brush," he said. "He only wants to -keep us uneasy about it and guessing." - -"Why don't we do the job ourselves?" - -"Because that's exactly what Ross is hoping we'll do." - -"I suppose so, Brad. But we gave our word to Mr. Kain the work would be -done. I'd rather let Ross have the laugh on us than break a promise." - -"So would I, Dan. But I have a hunch Ross is only playing possum on us. -Tell you what! Let's let the matter go until tomorrow. If he hasn't done -the job by then, we'll do it ourselves and report him to Mr. Hatfield." - -"Suits me, only I'm in favor of reporting him right now." - -"We could," the Den Chief agreed reluctantly. "It seems a little like -tattling though. Also, if Mr. Hatfield finds out how Ross has acted, he -might ask him to resign from the Cubs. That would be tough on him. Ross -wants to stay in the organization, even if he does do a lot of crabbing." - -"Okay, give him another chance," Dan consented. "He isn't a bad sort -except for being lazy and conceited." - -The boys agreed to meet the next afternoon at 2 P.M. at Brad's home. If -unable to catch a ride they would hike to the Castle grounds. - -"It shouldn't take the two of us more than three hours to clean up the -section, if Ross fails to do it," Dan declared. "Suppose we'll run into -the Ghost of the Castle?" - -"Say, that reminds me! I want to compare those arrows that were shot into -the target today with the one we picked up at the gardener's place." - -"I already have, Brad." - -"Do they match?" - -"Perfectly." - -"The same person who shot at the target today must have hidden out in the -woods at that other estate." - -"The place isn't far from here," Brad remarked, gazing thoughtfully -toward the woods. "I wish we could find out who is spying on us." - -"We know a couple of things about him," Dan said with a laugh. "He's a -dandy shot with the longbow, and besides, he's something of a show-off!" - -Presently the two boys rejoined the other Cubs. Ross, they learned, had -complained that he was tired, and had caught a ride into Webster City. - -"Tired, my right eye!" Dan snorted. "He was afraid we would nail him on -that job, and wasn't taking any chances." - -Since the day of their encounter with the unfriendly gardener, Brad had -sought without success to learn who owned the estate. Reminded of his -lack of information, the boy made inquiry of Mr. Holloway. - -"I did hear who is living there," the Den Dad said, trying to recollect. -"The place is rented, I believe, to a retired army colonel. Someone told -me he is seriously ill." - -"You don't recall his name?" - -"Can't think of it now, Brad. It may come to me later." - -"I wonder if the owner has any children?" - -"Not that I heard of, Brad. But then, I never had any particular -interest. Anything on your mind, Brad?" - -"No, I was merely curious about our neighbors. I've been wondering too, -who that mysterious archer may be." - -"Whoever he is, he's an expert with the bow," Mr. Holloway declared. "I -wish we could catch him though. Accurate as he is, he shouldn't be -shooting whenever the urge strikes him. He might hit someone." - -Presently the Cubs brought their day's rehearsal to a close. Mr. Holloway -told the boys he would develop the films and have them ready for a -showing by the following night. - -"We're getting along well," he praised the Cubs. "I hear though, that -some of the organizations competing for the prize are spending -considerable on scenery and costumes. So we'll have to work hard if we -hope to win." - -The next morning Dan and Brad spent several hours working with Mr. -Hatfield to improve the script for their play. That job completed, they -went to their separate homes for lunch and then met again at Brad's home. - -By this hour the weather had turned very sultry, but with no indication -of rain. - -"It's going to be a hot, dusty walk out to the Castle," Brad remarked as -he and Dan set off down the highway. "I thought maybe Dad would drive us -out, but he had some other work to do." - -"The worst will be if we get out there and discover Ross hasn't cleaned -up the brush," Dan added. - -Fearing the worst, both boys had equipped themselves with large rakes and -cutting tools. The articles were cumbersome to carry. Before they had -covered three-quarters of the distance, both Brad and Dan were covered -with perspiration. - -"This day is a scorcher," Dan declared, mopping his forehead. "The paper -this morning warned householders to go easy on using water. The shortage -is acute." - -Brad had spied a roadside stand a short distance ahead. - -"I'll treat you to a bottle of pop," he invited. "That will revive us so -we can get to the Castle without wilting." - -"I can sure use a little moisture," Dan accepted readily. "Lead me to -it." - -A woman in blue gingham operated the stand, selling vegetables and a few -soft drinks. - -The boys bought and paid for their pop, sipping the cool liquid slowly. A -friendly individual, the woman asked them about the Cub Scout -organization, its aims and purpose. - -Brad politely explained that Den 1 and Den 2 were included in a larger -classification known as the Pack. Cub advancement, he pointed out, was -based upon the completion of a set of achievements. - -"When a boy finishes Wolf requirements, he is awarded the Wolf Cub rank -and badge," Dan carried on the explanation. "As soon as a Wolf Cub is ten -years old, he works to complete the Bear Cub achievements. Upon reaching -his eleventh birthday and after being a Bear, he may become a Lion Cub." - -"You're a Lion?" inquired the operator of the stand. - -"A Bear," Dan corrected. "Brad, though, is a Boy Scout as well as Den -Chief. He keeps the younger boys in line for Mr. Hatfield." - -"I try, you mean," laughed Brad. "As far as one Cub is concerned, I've -not been very successful." - -"Meaning Ross," grinned Dan. "Well, keep trying. You may soften him up in -the end." - -"If he hasn't done his work out at the Castle, I'm going to adopt drastic -methods," Brad threatened. "Finished your drink, Dan? Let's move along -before it gets any hotter." - -The cool drinks scarcely quenched the thirst of the two boys. Before they -had walked another quarter of a mile, they were as miserable as before. - -"No drinking water at the Castle either," Dan remarked. "We should have -brought our canteens." - -The boys passed a farmhouse and rounded a hill. From the summit, they -were afforded a clear view of the wooded castle area. - -The stone building with its many odd-shaped towers and turrets appeared -as a dark blot against the sky. Behind it, the horizon seemed misty. - -"Say, is that haze or smoke?" Brad demanded, halting on the brow of the -hill. - -"It's smoke!" exclaimed Dan. "And it seems to be coming from the woods -directly behind the Castle! Maybe Ross is out there burning up the -trash." - -"If he is, the fire has gone out of control!" Brad cried in alarm. "Come -on, Dan! We've got to get there quick!" - - - - - CHAPTER 11 - Fire - - -The two boys dashed down the hill, climbed a fence, and raced across a -cleared field toward the castle property. - -As they ran, they were increasingly alarmed to observe that the column of -smoke rapidly was growing blacker. - -"It's coming from directly behind the Castle!" Brad cried. - -"That's the area where Ross was supposed to clean up the brush," Dan -panted, hard at his heels. "You don't think he was crazy enough to try to -burn the stuff?" - -"Don't know," Brad returned, leaping over a small ditch. "Everything is -so dry, it will be hard to stop a fire once it gets any sort of start." - -The boys were dismayed as they drew closer to see that the Castle was -enveloped in a wispy smoke which seeped out from the woods. - -Furthermore, a light breeze was blowing toward them. - -"The Castle will be sure to go unless that fire can be checked fast!" -Brad gasped. - -The boys now were close enough to be certain that the smoke did not come -from a brush pile. - -"Dan, we've got to work fast!" the older boy directed, halting abruptly. -"We can't do anything here alone and without equipment. We've got to call -a fire department." - -"The city engine won't come this far out." - -"Then call Mr. Hatfield and Burton Holloway! Have them round up the cubs, -and bring all the equipment they can muster." - -"The nearest phone must be at that farmhouse we passed," Dan recalled. -"I'll get there as fast as I can." - -Brad ran on alone toward the Castle. As yet he could see no flames, but -the air was acrid with fumes. - -"Ross!" he shouted, thinking that the Den 1 boy might be somewhere in the -woods. "Ross Langdon!" - -His call went unanswered. But now Brad distinctly could hear the crackle -of flames. - -Following a path which led from the rear of the stone building into the -woods, he found the smoke thicker. - -Then ahead, he saw a fiery, uneven line of flame. - -Dried grass and leaves had ignited. The flames already covered an area -nearly twenty feet across and were spreading rapidly. - -Tongues of fire licked greedily at the bases of the trees, but so far had -not eaten deeply into the wood. - -The smoke and heat halted Brad. He realized his utter helplessness. - -No water was available. He had no tools or anything with which to fight -the fire. - -"I've got to do something!" he thought desperately. "But what?" - -Brad moved back into the cleared area by the Castle. The grass was green -here and free of brush and leaves. If the fire could be checked at the -edge of the woods, the building would be spared. - -On the other hand, should the tall trees catch, nothing could stop the -fire until it had done untold damage. - -Sparks borne by the wind now were flying toward the stone dwelling. One -fell into a tiny pocket of leaves and began to blaze. - -Brad pounded out the flames and scattered the leaves with his rake. But -other sparks were beginning to drop. - -"The Castle will go unless I can get help fast!" he told himself. "May be -someone at the adjoining estate has some equipment." - -Brad started at a run across the cleared space and then on into a field -of stubble. - -Unexpectedly he tripped over a pile of boards and fell flat on the -ground. His extended hand groping over the top of the boards, encountered -only yawning space. - -Scrambling to his feet, Brad saw that the fall had saved him from a much -worse disaster. The loose boards only half-covered a deep pit. - -"Gosh! That was a narrow escape!" he exclaimed. "I could have tumbled -in." - -Brad gave a quick glance down into the pit and then did a double take. -Water! - -"It's an old well!" he thought. "Now if only we had buckets--" - -The boy started on, running toward the estate where he and Dan so rudely -had been dismissed by the gardener. - -Reaching the road, he was just turning into the lane when a truck halted -beside him. - -"Say, buddy, where's the fire?" the driver asked him. - -Brad saw that it was a telephone company truck bearing five or six -linesmen in addition to the man at the wheel. - -"There's a brush fire over behind that stone house," he informed, -pointing toward the area of billowing smoke. "I need help and I need it -fast!" - -"Hop in!" directed the driver. - -The truck roared down the road and turned in at the castle grounds. Smoke -now was so dense that the building scarcely was visible. - -"We'll never get it stopped now!" Brad cried. - -"Maybe we will," the truck driver encouraged him. "A trench may be the -ticket. We've got a couple of spades somewhere in the truck." - -"But if those trees get a good start, the entire forest area will go," -Brad pointed out. "Those estates farther down the road will be in danger -too." - -Piling out of the truck, the linesmen ran to the scene of the fire. - -"The smoke is heavy, but the fire hasn't spread too far--yet," the truck -driver appraised the situation. "The flames are thin and could be beaten -out with blankets--if we had 'em. Or water--" - -Brad told him about the well. - -"Fine, but we have only one bucket in the truck. That will be about as -much use as spraying with an atomizer!" - -As the telephone men were getting what equipment they had from the truck, -Dan Carter came running up. - -"Did you get hold of Mr. Hatfield?" Brad demanded. - -"Yes, and Mr. Holloway too. They'll be out here pronto with all the -equipment they can get on short order. But it looks pretty hopeless." - -"I'm afraid so," Brad mumbled. "Oh, it makes me sick to stand helplessly -by and see the Castle destroyed. We may get the blame too." - -The linesmen, having no blankets, had made use of a heavy canvas carried -in the truck to protect equipment. - -With it, they beat at the flames which were moving steadily closer to the -stone building. Seeking to add their bit, Dan and Brad took turns -carrying water from the well. - -The pit was shallow. By attaching a rope to the bucket handle they could -lower and dip the container. The work, however, was slow and -discouraging. - -"We need a dozen buckets to make any progress," Dan declared, thoroughly -disheartened. "Brad, it's no use!" - -"Yes, it is!" the older boy encouraged him. "Isn't that a car coming this -way?" - -"It looks like Mr. Hatfield's automobile!" Dan agreed, straightening up. -"Oh, I hope he brought buckets!" - -The boys ran to meet the car. Mr. Hatfield and a neighbor sprang out, and -began to unload fire extinguishers. Chips and Red piled out of the back -seat. - -"Jeepers!" the latter exclaimed. "How did that start?" - -Without answering, Brad demanded if the fire fighters had brought -buckets. - -"You'll find several in the rear compartment of the car," Mr. Hatfield -instructed him. "Some spades, old blankets and everything I could get on -short order. Mr. Holloway is following with more helpers and equipment. -Without water though, there's not much we can do." - -"We've found a well," Brad told him. "I don't know how long the water -will last though." - -Mr. Hatfield and his neighbor seized fire extinguishers and joined the -toiling linesmen. He ordered the Cubs, directed by Brad, to carry water. - -"But don't get too close to the fire," he warned. "Your job is just to -keep those buckets moving." - -With the additional supply of buckets, and other Cubs to help, Brad and -Dan were able to keep a fairly steady flow of water in the hands of the -fire fighters. - -The smoke remained dense. But as Dan carried his fifth bucket of water, -he noticed that the fire line among the trees had receded. - -"We're making a little progress," Mr. Hatfield exclaimed jubilantly. "If -the water only holds out we may win!" - -In an endeavor to prevent the fire from spreading toward the Castle, the -men had dug a narrow, wide trench. - -As Brad earlier had noted, the fire, though widespread, had so far fed -itself only on dry grass and brush. The fighters became increasingly -hopeful that it could be put out before the trees ignited. - -Within ten minutes Mr. Holloway arrived, bringing more equipment and -extra helpers. In addition to two men, Midge and Ross Langdon were with -him. - -"Golly!" the latter exclaimed as he saw the black smoke. "Look at 'er -burn!" - -The remark infuriated Dan. - -"And whose fault is it?" he demanded, wiping a smudge off his cheek. "If -you had cleaned away the brush the way you were supposed to, the fire -wouldn't have spread so fast." - -"I did clean it up," Ross said defiantly. - -"When?" - -"Last night." - -"All by yourself?" - -"All by myself," Ross repeated. "I worked nearly two hours and half -killed myself." - -Dan allowed the matter to pass. Ross might be telling the truth. Since he -claimed to have worked alone, no one could prove or disprove his -assertion. In any case, it didn't much matter now, for the damage had -been done. - -"Grab a bucket, and get to work!" he advised. "It's going to be nip and -tuck to check that fire." - -For once, Ross made no protest at being asked to work. He seized the -bucket and ran back with Dan to the old well. - -Brad had just raised another bucketful which was only a little over -half-filled. - -"The water level is going down fast," he said. "I don't know if we'll -have enough to see this thing through." - -"The fire's almost licked," Dan encouraged the others. "More help is -coming too." - -Smoke had drawn a number of motorists and nearby residents to the scene. -Many of the curious had remained to help. - -The Cubs carried water until they no longer could get enough out of the -well to make it worth while. But by that time, the fire definitely was -under control. Beating at the flames with blankets and canvas, the men -finally were able to extinguish the last spark. - -"We've done it!" Mr. Hatfield exclaimed, sinking down on the grass to -rest. "Dan, if that fire had had another ten minutes start, we never -could have saved the Castle." - -"I wonder how it started?" the boy remarked. - -"That's what I was asking myself. I hope--" Mr. Hatfield did not finish -what he had intended to say. - -Dan, however, guessed at his thought. - -"You hope it wasn't one of the Cubs," he completed with a questioning -inflection. - -"I started to say that, Dan. Then I realized that the remark would be -unfair. None of the Cubs were out here today until you and Brad spotted -the fire." - -"Not so far as I know," Dan agreed. "Last night--" - -This time it was the boy who did not finish his sentence. It struck him -that it would be very disloyal even to hint that Ross might have been -responsible for the fire. Certainly he had no proof that the Den 1 boy -had been careless in clearing away brush. - -"Well, we've saved the Castle and we can be proud of ourselves," Mr. -Hatfield declared, getting up from the ground. "The Cubs really pitched -in." - -Brad and Dan asked the Cub leader how much damage had been done. - -"It's hard to tell," Mr. Hatfield replied. "Some of the shrubs have been -killed. But I don't believe many of the trees have been damaged. As soon -as the smoke clears a little, we'll make a thorough check." - -Brad had noticed a familiar automobile driving into the grounds. - -"We'll have a little help too," he muttered uncomfortably. "See who's -here now!" - -Dan and Mr. Hatfield turned around to see that it was Mr. Kain, the bank -employee, who had arrived. - -"Oh, oh!" Dan remarked under his breath, as the man came swiftly toward -them. "His face is as black as the smudge on mine! Something tells me -we're in for it now!" - - - - - CHAPTER 12 - A Debt to Pay - - -Mr. Kain strode directly to Mr. Hatfield and the two cubs. The angry -expression on his face left no doubt as to his attitude about the fire. - -"I might have known something like this would occur!" he began. "Boys -never should be permitted to run wild in a wooded area." - -"Just a minute, Mr. Kain," interposed the Cub leader wearily. "Don't jump -to hasty conclusions." - -"The bank property has been damaged. We happen to own the woods, you -know. It was a mistake to allow your organization to use this land." - -"You're assuming that the Cubs started the fire, Mr. Kain." - -"What else should I think? They've been here almost daily, having picnics -and starting fires." - -"That isn't true, Mr. Kain," Brad interposed, losing patience. "The Cubs -have been careful about fires, knowing how dry the woods are at this time -of year." - -"We've eaten cold food," Dan added. "When this fire started, not a Cub -was near the place so far as I know." - -The two boys were righteously angry for they felt that the bank employee -was unjustly blaming the Cub organization without having made any -investigation of the facts. - -Several of the fire fighters who had overheard the remark, were of the -same opinion. - -"That's right," spoke up one of the telephone linesmen. "Fact is, if it -hadn't been for these two boys, the fire never could have been stopped. -The house would have been destroyed for sure. But they saw smoke and got -help before the fire was too well started." - -This information softened Mr. Kain somewhat. - -"Is the fire out?" he demanded gruffly. - -"Practically so," he was informed. "The leaves are smoldering in a few -places. But there's no danger, if the area is watched for awhile." - -"We'll be glad to do it," offered Mr. Hatfield. - -Mr. Kain made no reply. Abruptly leaving the group, he went to inspect -the smoking, blackened patch of burned-over ground. - -Brad, Dan and the other Cubs watched him uneasily. From his manner it was -impossible to tell whether or not he accepted their statement that the -Cubs had not been responsible for the fire. - -Their eyes red and smarting from the smoke, too tired to care much what -the bank employee thought, they flung themselves onto the grass to rest. - -Mr. Kain presently returned. Immediately it was evident to the Cubs that -his anger remained with him. - -"What's he picked up?" Dan muttered, noticing a charred object in the -man's hand. - -"Looks like a stick," Brad replied. - -The object proved to be a half-burned shaft and arrow. - -"This may or may not have significance," Mr. Kain said coldly, addressing -the group. "I picked it up in the burned area." - -"It looks like too large an arrow to be one of ours," said Dan -defensively. - -"You've been using bows and arrows here however?" - -"Sure," admitted Brad. "We haven't been starting fires with 'em though." - -"Nevertheless, the arrow convinces me that the Cubs have been roving -through the woods at will, undoubtedly lighting matches and--" - -"Cubs are taught to be careful about fire," Brad broke in. "Besides, -we've told you--the Cubs weren't here today. Dan and I were the first to -arrive." - -"The fire may have been slow in starting--possibly it smoldered for -hours. But that's neither here nor there. The damage has been done." - -"We're mighty sorry, sir," Dan said. "It wasn't our fault, and we did our -best to check the fire quickly." - -"I'm grateful to you for that, boys. All the same, you see my position. I -am responsible to the bank. Of course you understand that I can't permit -you to continue to use this property." - -The Cubs gazed at Mr. Kain, dumbfounded. It seemed utterly impossible -that he would send them away after they had worked so hard to save the -Castle. - -For a long moment no one spoke. Then Dan said: - -"Mr. Kain, do you mean we can't finish the filming of our play here?" - -The bank employee dropped the charred arrow onto the grass. He stirred -uneasily under the steady, almost accusing gaze of the Cubs. - -"I know it will inconvenience you," he said flatly. "But I have to think -of the bank." - -"Inconvenience us!" Chips fairly shouted, breaking into the conversation. -"If we have to go to another place, it means filming all the scenes over -again!" - -"We're already working against a deadline," Red added angrily. "Have a -heart, Mr. Kain!" - -"Sorry, boys. Is Mr. Holloway or your Cub leader around? I'll have to -inform them that the organization is not to come here again." - -Both Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Holloway had gone to one of the cars where -equipment was being packed. Seeing the two men, Mr. Kain would have -started off to intercept them, had not Brad stopped him. - -"Just a minute, Mr. Kain," he said quietly. "I can't feel that you're -being fair. The Cubs have been as careful as they know how to be in using -this property. We cleaned up the brush and kept all of our promises." - -"I'm not blaming anyone," Mr. Kain replied, ill at ease. "Boys will be -boys. I'm not saying the fire was started on purpose. But you see my -position. I'm responsible to the bank." - -"If you feel we caused the damage, let us pay for it," Dan spoke up -suddenly. "Just give us a chance to finish our play here." - -The offer seemed to strike a responsive chord with the bank employee. He -paused a moment to consider. - -"Sure," urged Chips, "the Cubs have money we were saving for costumes and -scenery. We could use some of that to pay for the damage." - -"Well, I hardly know what to say--" Mr. Kain hesitated. - -"No buildings were destroyed," Brad said quickly. "Only a few shrubs." - -"You boys did work hard to put out the fire once it started," the bank -man admitted. "I suppose an arrangement could be made for you to pay for -the damage." - -"Then you'll allow us to finish our play here?" Red demanded. - -"Well, if you agree to pay, I suppose I might let you stay on for a week -or two. But no longer." - -"How much will we owe?" Brad asked. - -He knew that the shrubs which had burned were not rare or valuable ones. -Actually, he thought that the fire had done very little damage. Although -the blackened area was ugly and disfiguring, new growth quickly would -cover it. - -"Twenty-five dollars should cover it," Mr. Kain said, after a little -thought. - -Now to him the amount seemed comparatively small. To the Cubs it -represented a huge sum. To meet the debt they would be required to pool -every cent they had earned for costumes and perhaps dip into the -organization treasury as well. - -Seeing the look of consternation upon the faces of the boys, Mr. Kain -amended his calculation. - -"Well, I'll be easy on you," he said. "Make it twenty dollars. However, -the sum must be paid to the bank no later than tomorrow." - -Brad turned to the Cubs of Den 2. "How about it fellows?" he asked. "Can -we do it?" - -"We'll have to," decided Dan grimly. "I have three dollars and a half -saved for my costume. I'll toss that into the kitty." - -"How about the Cubs of Den 1?" Brad asked Ross. "Will they help too?" - -"You'll have to ask them," he replied. "I know I can't kick in. I've -already used all my paper route money to buy a costume." - -"I thought Mrs. Holloway was making it for you." - -"I decided to buy it instead," Ross answered. "No home-made job for me." - -With the exception of Ross, all of the Cubs who were present agreed to -the plan. Having pledged themselves, they then sought Mr. Hatfield to -tell him of their decision. - -"If that's what you want to do, it's all right with me," he agreed. "The -Cubs always pay their debts. If the bank feels we're responsible for the -damage, then we'll pay whatever they ask." - -"Have someone bring the money to the bank tomorrow," Mr. Kain said. "I -don't want to be hard on the boys, but maybe having to spend their own -cash will teach them to be more careful." - -No one replied. Decidedly uncomfortable, the bank man said good-bye and -drove away. - -After he had gone, however, the Cubs had a great deal to say. - -"He doesn't want to be too hard! Oh, no!" Midge mimicked. "We worked -mighty hard for that money." - -"And now it all goes to the bank when we didn't do a thing except cut -their old brush!" Red stormed. "It makes me sick." - -"We don't have to do it," Brad reminded the Cubs. "For that matter, we -can give up the play." - -This the Cubs were unwilling to do. - -"If Old Kill-Joy Kain says we owe twenty dollars let's pay it," Dan -proposed grimly. "We'll have to dig up every penny we saved for our -costumes. That means making out with any old materials we can lay our -hands on. Time's too short to earn any more money now." - -"Fat chance we'll have of winning the grand prize without decent costumes -or scenery," Chips said gloomily. "We'll look like a band of tattered -beggars!" - -"All except Ross," said Red, fastening his gaze upon the Den 1 boy. -"He'll have a perfectly super costume. Maybe, after all, we should award -him the star part!" - - - - - CHAPTER 13 - Kill-Joy Kain - - -Well aware that the other Cubs were out of sorts and annoyed at him, Ross -immediately took issue with Red's pointed remark. - -"Is it my fault I happened to buy my costume before this place went up in -smoke?" he demanded. "Why shouldn't I be entitled to it?" - -"Ross is right," Brad spoke up quickly. "He's just luckier than the rest -of us. At least we'll have one good costume for the play." - -"Yeah, but Ross should pay his share of the damage," Red protested hotly. -"After all, he's as much to blame for the fire as we are--maybe more so." - -"What do you mean by that crack?" Ross demanded. - -"You were assigned to clean up the brush in your section. Well, that was -where the fire started!" - -"I didn't do it! Furthermore, I came out here last night and raked brush -until I was blue in the face!" - -"You probably started a little fire and thought you had put it out--" - -"That's not so," Ross flung at his accuser. "You can't prove it. I never -touched a match." - -"Cut it out, Red," Brad quietly advised the other Cub. "Ross' word is -good with me. You have no right to accuse him when you haven't any -evidence." - -"Okay," Red muttered, rather ashamed of himself, "I guess I did speak out -of turn. Sorry, Ross." - -The Den 1 boy made no reply. Turning quickly, he walked to one of the -cars. - -"We're all out of sorts and dead tired," Dan said. "It makes us all -jumpy, especially after Mr. Kain came out here and delivered such a -sock." - -"I'm sorry I accused Ross," Red said again. "All the same, we know how he -acts--" - -"Never mind," broke in Brad severely. "Mr. Hatfield is signaling us from -the car. He's ready to leave. I for one will be glad to get home and -clean up." - -"Remember, we have to deliver our money to Mr. Kain tomorrow morning," -Dan warned the Cubs as they started off to the waiting cars. "I suppose -we ought to meet at Mr. Hatfield's house and all go to the bank -together." - -After the other boys had scattered, he and Brad gathered up the empty -buckets. Several men who lived not far away had offered to keep watch of -the smoldering woods area, so the Cubs no longer would be needed. - -"I'd like to know how that fire actually did start," Brad remarked. "Dan, -do you think Ross had anything to do with it?" - -"Not intentionally." - -"No, of course not. I mean, do you think he came out here last night as -he said to clear up the brush?" - -"I rather think he did, Brad. Maybe that's one reason the fire didn't -spread terribly fast despite the dryness of the season. He could have -dropped matches or something, but you were right in saying we shouldn't -blame him. We'll probably never know how the fire started." - -"Not unless we dig up a clue later on when we can search the area." - -"Everything is burned over. Not much chance of that, Brad." - -The Den Chief stooped to pick up the charred arrow which Mr. Kain had -dropped on the grass. Carefully he studied it. - -"You think that may have significance?" Dan asked after a moment. - -"Maybe so. Maybe not. The arrow could have been lying out in the woods a -long while. We know our mysterious Robin Hood has shot plenty of them." - -"Say! That's an idea, Brad!" - -"What is?" - -"Maybe the fire was started by the fellow who has been roving around -here--the Ghost of the Castle!" - -Brad smiled, for the thought had occurred to him when first he saw the -charred shaft. - -"We know the Ghost is a very real person," he commented. "We also know he -roams over this property and the Castle at will." - -"He could be a tramp." - -"I've thought the same thing, Dan. We certainly shouldn't blame Ross for -that fire, until we've made as complete an investigation as possible." - -"Let's see what we can discover right now," the younger boy proposed. - -Brad however, vetoed the proposal. He pointed out that Mr. Holloway and -Mr. Hatfield both were ready to leave for town. - -"We're all tuckered out now," he said wearily. "Let's come back tomorrow. -Then we'll have plenty of time to comb the burned area for clues." - -"Providing the bank sticks by its agreement," Dan added, sunk in gloom. -"Even if we do dig up our money, the officials may change their minds -about allowing us to use this place." - -The destructive fire was disheartening not only to Dan and Brad, but to -all of the Cubs. Even if satisfactory arrangements were made for their -continued use of the premises, they felt that they would remain under a -cloud of suspicion. - -Also, try as they would, they could not muster their former enthusiasm -for presenting and filming the Robin Hood play. Without elaborate -costumes and scenery they felt they would not have a very good chance to -win first prize. - -Mr. Holloway and Sam Hatfield also were troubled. It seemed rather unjust -to them that the bank should hold the Cub organization responsible for -the fire. Both offered to make good the loss themselves. - -The Cubs however, were of one mind on this matter. They would not hear of -the organization leaders assuming the bill. - -"Maybe Mr. Kain will soften up when we take the money to him," Dan said -hopefully. - -By pooling their earnings, the boys of the two Dens were able to -accumulate twenty-one dollars and seventy-five cents. Ross was the only -Cub to make no contribution. - -"My paper route isn't doing well any more," he complained. "I've decided -to give it up." - -"While you're giving things up, you might cut out candy," Chips reminded -him, noticing that even as he talked Ross was nibbling at a chocolate -bar. "I guess you have enough spending money." - -Brad gave Chips a warning glance and he subsided into silence. -Nevertheless, the seeds of resentment were deeply planted among the other -Cubs. Nearly all of the boys felt that Ross was taking a most selfish -attitude. - -"All set to go to the bank?" Brad asked the group. - -The boys had gathered at Mr. Hatfield's house to pool their money. Now, -accompanied by the Cub leader, they walked three short blocks to the -bank. - -At such an early morning hour, few customers were in the institution. Mr. -Hatfield inquired for Mr. Kain and was told he would be found upstairs in -a balcony office. - -The Cubs trooped up the stairs, presenting themselves at the official's -desk. - -"Good morning, boys," Mr. Kain said, but his voice, they noted, was not -very friendly. - -"We've brought the money," Brad said, taking out his wallet. - -"Oh, the money," Mr. Kain repeated vaguely. He frowned. Then he said: -"I've been thinking the matter over since I talked with you. The bank -feels that it would be better not to allow the Cubs to use the property -again. We'll forget the amount you owe." - -"But you said if we paid the twenty dollars we might finish the filming -of our picture!" Dan burst out. "We've raised the money. We're keeping -our part of the bargain." - -Mr. Kain stirred uneasily in his swivel chair. - -"I've made further investigation since I talked with you boys yesterday -afternoon. A farmer who lives not far from the castle grounds, reported -to me that he saw a boy in the woods shortly before the fire started." - -"A Cub?" Brad demanded. - -"Well, I suppose so." - -"None of the Cubs were there!" Dan said indignantly. "We've all given our -word on that. Brad and I were the first to arrive on the scene. The fire -had a good start then." - -"If it hadn't been for Brad and Dan, I think the bank would have lost -their building," Mr. Hatfield interposed quietly. "To replace it at -present costs would require in the neighborhood of a hundred thousand -dollars, I should judge." - -"The house has no such value as it stands," Mr. Kain said. "However, the -bank is grateful to the Cubs. It's not that. But you see our position. -With so much at stake, we can't risk having irresponsible--" - -"The Cubs are not irresponsible," Mr. Hatfield said firmly. - -"Well, I'm sorry." Mr. Kain spoke with finality. - -"Then you won't let us finish our film at the Castle?" Brad demanded. - -"I can't allow you to go there. As I say, I'm sorry--" - -The Cubs waited to hear no more of his apology. Completely discouraged, -they started down the balcony steps. - -"It's unfair!" Red stormed. "This bank gives me a pain!" - -Unnoticed by the Cubs, a heavily set man in gray, which matched the color -of his hair, had met them squarely on the stairway. - -"What's this about not liking the bank?" he inquired. - -Embarrassed, Red stammered out that Mr. Kain wasn't being fair to the -Cubs. And he added bitterly: "That's all the thanks we get for saving -their old house!" - -The remark troubled the man, for he said: "We must look into this. Come -with me, and we'll talk to Mr. Kain." - -By this time the Cubs began to suspect that they had encountered another -official of the bank. They were sure of it, when as they approached Mr. -Kain's desk again, the man quickly got to his feet. - -"Good morning, Mr. Hammond," he said respectfully. - -Mr. Hammond, the boys learned a moment later, was vice president of the -bank. A man of precise mind, he first asked Mr. Kain for his version of -the disagreement. Then he listened to what Red and the other Cubs had to -say. - -"I didn't annoy you about this matter, Mr. Hammond, because you were -busy," Mr. Kain said uneasily. "I thought for the protection of the -bank--" - -"Mr. Kain, you lose sight of several facts," replied the bank official. -"First, the Cubs give their word they had nothing to do with the fire. -Second, had it not been for them, the Castle undoubtedly would have been -destroyed. And third, it's important that they finish the movie they're -making." - -"I only did what I thought was best for the interests of the bank," Mr. -Kain said, his eyes smoldering with resentment. - -"I have a nephew who is a Cub Scout in another city," Mr. Hammond -continued. "He's a dependable youngster and so are the other Cubs in his -outfit. I'll take a chance on such lads any day." - -"Very well," said Mr. Kain stiffly. "The decision is yours to make--not -mine. However, I must say that it's tempting fate to turn loose a pack of -boys on the premises." - -"We'll not turn them loose exactly," smiled the bank official. "I assume -they will be under the direction of their leaders." - -"That's right, sir," Brad assured him. - -"Also, I'll assign you, Mr. Kain, to accompany the boys and watch over -the property during the filming of the various scenes," Mr. Hammond -added. "I'm sure you'll guard the bank interests most diligently." - -With that, he nodded to Mr. Hatfield, and moved on to his own private -office. - -It was plain to the Cubs that Mr. Kain resented their interference. This, -he indicated, by the cold formal manner in which he addressed them. - -"You heard what Mr. Hammond said?" he demanded. "He very generously has -allowed you the use of the premises under my supervision. May I ask when -you will film the next scenes of your play?" - -"Probably Saturday if the weather is pleasant," Mr. Hatfield informed -him. "By that time we should have costumes and scenery ready. I assure -you we'll wind up the filming as quickly as possible." - -"Very well. Saturday then, I'll be on hand to see that everything is kept -in order. Oh, yes, there's one more matter--the twenty dollars." - -"Well, for crying out loud!" Red muttered, but at a stern look from Mr. -Hatfield, he subsided. - -Now all the Cubs were certain that Mr. Hammond had not intended them to -pay the sum. However, they were too proud to argue. - -Without saying a word, Brad opened his wallet and gave the money to Mr. -Kain. - -"There go our costumes," remarked Red pointedly. - -"Eh?" inquired Mr. Kain, busily writing out a receipt. - -No one repeated the remark. - -Brad accepted the receipt, and the Cubs left the bank. - -Red and Midge were in favor of protesting to Mr. Hammond. However, the -Cub leader would not allow them to do that. - -"All the same, Old Kill-Joy-Kain is taking advantage of us," Red opined -as the boys disconsolately walked down the street. "He's sore now, and -he'll see to it that we have no privileges at the Castle." - - - - - CHAPTER 14 - Clues - - -Dan and Brad shared the opinion of the other Cubs that their "fun" times -were nearly at an end at the Castle. - -Parting company with the other boys, they discussed the matter as they -walked toward their homes. - -"I'll bet a cent Mr. Kain won't allow us to go poking around in the -woods," Brad remarked. "I especially wanted to see if we could find any -clues as to how the fire started." - -"Why don't we go out there now by ourselves?" - -"I'd like to," Brad replied. "I sure would. But it wouldn't be cricket. -Mr. Kain takes it for granted we'll only go there when he's around to -watch-dog us." - -"I guess you're right," Dan admitted ruefully. "What we could do though, -is to get there early on Saturday. If we're lucky, we might get an hour's -jump on Mr. Kain." - -During the next few days, the Cubs made what arrangements they could for -costumes. The mothers of the two Dens came through splendidly, fashioning -garments of whatever materials they had on hand. - -On the whole, the Cubs felt that the play would not be quite the flop -they had feared. Nevertheless, resentment flared again when Ross -displayed the elegant costume he had purchased at a theatrical supply -store. - -Among some of the boys it was whispered that Ross still expected to be -awarded the star role in the play. - -And though Dan and Brad tried to quiet such rumblings, the Cubs continued -to hint that he might have had something to do with starting the -disastrous fire. - -"If Ross is innocent, the Cubs are doing him a terrible injustice," Brad -said to his friend early Saturday. The two boys had walked to the Castle -grounds, and by intention were there ahead of the Pack. - -"I wish we could find how the fire really started," Dan replied soberly. -"So much time has elapsed now, all clues probably have been destroyed." - -"We may find some more of those arrows, Dan. They may or may not have -significance." - -The two boys were hopeful of coming upon evidence to indicate that the -fire had been of accidental nature or had been started by the mysterious -"ghost" of the Castle. - -Their task proved most discouraging. As they wandered through the -blackened, charred area, they found not a single clue. They did observe -that the damage to shrubs and trees had been relatively slight. - -"It looks to me as if Ross told the truth about cleaning up the brush," -Brad declared, pausing beside a large pile of charred sticks and debris. -"See! He must have gathered it all here in this one place." - -"And maybe touched a match to it." - -"Ross wouldn't be that stupid. He knows better than to start a fire in a -wooded area. Anyway, you can see the fire didn't start in this pile of -brush. It spread from some distance back." - -Dan agreed with his friend's observation. Both could see where the fire -had followed a line of least resistance along a winding road. - -"Say, I wonder where that road leads?" Dan speculated. "I never noticed -it here before." - -Curious to learn whether or not it joined the main road, they followed it -for a short distance. - -Before the boys had gone far, they discovered that it twisted in among -the trees, leading behind the Castle. From there it swung to the right, -presently coming out within view of the adjoining estate. By this time -the Cubs had learned that the property was owned by a Colonel -Brekenridge. - -"No sense going any farther," Brad said, halting. "For all we know, we -may be trespassing on Brekenridge land. If the Colonel's gardener should -spot us, he'd make trouble." - -"The road hasn't been used much of late," Dan said, noting that it was -clogged with grass. - -Pausing in the clearing, the boys gazed toward the pillared Brekenridge -home. No one was to be seen either in the yard or on the veranda. - -After a casual inspection, the pair started back the way they had come. - -They had covered about two-thirds of the distance to the Castle, when Dan -abruptly halted to study a charred irregular area at the side of the -road. - -"Say, it looks as if someone had a camp fire here!" he exclaimed. -"Recently too, because rains haven't disturbed any of the ashes." - -Brad turned to gaze at the area his companion indicated. - -Immediately he noticed a snake-like black tail of burned ground leading -toward another charred area. - -"Dan, this must be where the fire started!" he cried. - -"The wind was blowing toward the Castle all right." - -"It's clear as day," Brad declared, walking over to the dead ashes of the -bonfire. "Someone built this, and didn't put it out entirely. Then the -person went off." - -"And it slowly spread," Dan agreed. "First in this narrow tail, and then -after it struck that section of dry leaves and grass it spread out -rapidly through the woods." - -The boys carefully examined the dead embers. Beside them was a blackened -tin can which had been used for cooking purposes. Dan also picked up a -half-burned stick with the remains of a roasted weiner still attached. - -"This fire must have been started by a boy," he said slowly. "Or possibly -by a tramp. Brad, do you suppose it could have been Ross?" - -"He wouldn't build a fire as carelessly as this," the Den Chief pointed -out. "He's had Cub training in how to lay his sticks. No, I'm more than -ever convinced, Dan, that the fire wasn't his fault." - -Decidedly relieved to think that they had found evidence which tended to -exonerate Ross, the two Cubs traced the start of the fire. Plainly they -could see where it had leaped over a narrow ditch and then moved in -several directions. - -"If Ross didn't start the fire, who did?" Dan speculated as the boys -started down the road again. "Our mysterious Ghost of the Castle?" - -"Could be. I'd like to catch that guy who keeps horning into our -pictures. Maybe we will too!" - -"Any ideas?" Dan asked. - -Before Brad could reply, both boys were startled to hear a babble of -voices ahead on the trail. - -"Sounds like a delegation," Brad murmured. "I wonder if the Cubs have -arrived for rehearsals." - -Rounding a bend of the road, the two boys caught a glimpse of four Den 2 -boys who had gathered in a huddle. - -Their backs were to Dan and Brad. So earnestly were they talking, that -they failed to observe the approach of the two Cubs. - -"Mr. Hatfield can't and won't do anything," Dan and Brad heard Red say -distinctly. "We all know Ross is guilty. So it's up to us to see that -he's punished." - -"Sure, and let's think up a good one," proposed Chips. "We've got to -teach that little guy a lesson he won't forget!" - - - - - CHAPTER 15 - A Message - - -As Dan and Brad walked up, the Cubs broke up their circle. - -"Having a little conference?" the Den Chief inquired pointedly. - -"Oh, just talking," Midge Holloway replied uneasily. - -The group was comprised of Red, Chips, Midge and Fred. - -Brad fixed his gaze disapprovingly upon the four conspirators. - -"I'm ashamed of you," he said. "Plotting behind Mr. Hatfield's back. You -didn't figure on letting Dan or me know what you were doing either!" - -"We haven't done anything yet," Midge defended the group. "Furthermore, -we haven't had a chance to talk over this matter with anyone. My Dad -brought us out here only ten minutes ago." - -"It seems you had to come back into the woods for your high-powered -conference," Brad said sternly. "I guess you didn't want Mr. Holloway to -hear you." - -"What if we didn't?" Red demanded, glaring at the Den Chief. "You had -your chance to do something about Ross and you let it slide. Now it's our -turn." - -"And just what do you have against him? Let's hear your evidence." - -"We've got plenty," Red announced grimly. "The lug bought himself a fancy -costume and didn't kick in a dime to pay for the fire damage." - -"He was lucky enough to have bought his costume before the trouble -developed. Why be jealous?" - -"We're not jealous," Chips broke in. "We believe in justice, that's all. -From the way Ross acted, we're sure he never did his work here as he was -supposed to. Either that, or he came out and started the fire." - -"You seem a bit hazy as to what you think he did do." - -"One way or the other, he was responsible for the fire," Chips insisted. - -"That's wild talk, and Dan and I can prove it!" Brad replied. "We've -learned how the fire did start." - -The two boys showed the other Cubs the dead bonfire ashes, the tin can -and the charred weiner. - -"Ross wouldn't have built a fire this way," Midge conceded. "You're -right, Brad. We've misjudged him." - -"If Ross didn't start the fire, then who did?" demanded Red. - -"That's the question we'd all like to have answered," Dan told him. "If -we could find the answer, it might clear us at the bank." - -"We might try to keep watch of this road," Brad suggested. "I have a -hunch whoever started that fire will be using it again. By watching we -might learn something." - -The other Cubs agreed that the proposal was a good one. They pointed out, -however, that with Mr. Kain on hand to see that no one roved too far -afield, any sleuthing must be carried on under difficulties. - -"I admit we're handicapped," Brad acknowledged. "At any rate we know this -road is the place to watch." - -The Cubs emerged from the woods just as Mr. Hatfield drove up with -another car loaded with boys from Den 1. Ross was among them. - -Seeing the group of Den 2 boys, he turned as if to walk in the opposite -direction. - -"Ross!" called Brad. - -The boy turned reluctantly and waited for the Den Chief. Then before Brad -could tell him about the discovery, he said: - -"I know the fellows are sore at me, thinking I caused all the trouble -with the bank. I'm quitting the Pack. You can have my costume if you want -it. Or give it to Dan." - -"Ross, you can't leave the outfit," Brad protested. "We need you." - -"The Cubs will be glad to see me go. I've annoyed them from the start, -and now they think I caused the fire." - -"They may have thought that at first, but they have the right slant now. -Listen, Ross, you can be a big help in straightening this mess out if you -will." - -The Den Chief then told him of the discovery made near the old road. - -"You can help us try to learn the identity of the Castle ghost," he -urged. "If we find him, we may learn who caused the fire." - -Brad's words encouraged Ross. "I'll keep watch," he promised. "I didn't -want to drop out of the Pack--but the fellows have made it plenty tough -for me." - -"I know," Brad admitted. "Just don't act so know-it-all and their -attitude will change." - -Rehearsals began presently. As yet Mr. Kain had not appeared on the -scene, and the boys were hopeful that he would fail to come. - -However, shortly after the actual filming began, his car drove up. - -Obviously displeased, Mr. Kain watched the boys for a few minutes. Then -he began a minute inspection of the Castle itself. - -"He's looking around to see if he can't find where we've damaged -something," Chips muttered. "If he discovers a single thing he'll use it -as an excuse to bounce us for good." - -Made uncomfortable by Mr. Kain's presence, the boys did not act their -parts well. Repeatedly, Mr. Holloway had to take scenes over. - -Mr. Kain completed his inspection of the inside of the Castle and -returned to watch rehearsals. - -As the sun rose higher, he became more and more impatient. He would -wander to his car, sit there awhile, and then return. - -From his scowl, no one questioned that he felt the Cubs were taking -entirely too much time on the grounds. - -"How soon do you expect to wind this up?" he finally asked Mr. Hatfield. - -The Cub leader told him that the boys probably would not be ready to -leave for another hour. - -"I can't wait that long," the bank official protested. "I've wasted two -hours here now." - -"It isn't necessary for you to remain unless you feel you must, Mr. Kain. -I can promise that the Cubs will do no damage." - -"Well, I have another errand," the bank employee said. "I'll attend to it -and then drop back." - -He walked to his car. But as he started to open the door, his attention -fastened upon an object lying in the dust. - -The Cubs saw him pick it up and examine it carefully. - -"Now what's he found?" Dan muttered. "It must be something he's going to -hook onto us. Here he comes back!" - -Carrying the object, Mr. Kain returned to the group. - -"I found this lying on the grass beside my car," he said. "Maybe one of -you youngsters can explain it." - -Mr. Kain held up the shaft of an arrow. Attached to it was a scroll of -paper. - -"The mysterious archer again!" exclaimed Dan. - -"What does the message say?" demanded Red impatiently. - -Mr. Kain already had read it. He handed the paper to Brad. The words were -written in a childish, nearly illegible scrawl. Brad read them aloud: - -"Look in Robin Hood's Strong Box. You will find something of interest." - -"Robin Hood's strong box," Dan repeated, recalling the Castle chimney -niche which had been given that name. "Well, what do you know!" - -"This message seems to make sense to you, if not to me," Mr. Kain said -testily. "Will someone kindly explain what is meant by Robin Hood's -strong box?" - - - - - CHAPTER 16 - Treasure - - -The Cubs were reluctant to tell Mr. Kain their secret, lest he feel that -they had overstepped themselves in investigating the Castle. - -"Robin Hood's Strong Box is just a name for a hiding place," Dan -explained vaguely. - -"Then one of you boys shot this arrow." - -The Cubs looked from one to another. Each boy shook his head. - -"A mysterious archer has been annoying us a bit by shooting arrows during -our rehearsals," Mr. Hatfield explained. "This shaft looks as if it may -have come from his bow." - -"But how did he know about Robin Hood's Strong Box?" Midge muttered. "The -guy must be psychic. Either that, or he sneaks around listening to our -conversation." - -"I am quite certain this arrow was not lying near my car when I drove -into the grounds today," Mr. Kain said. "It has been shot in the last -hour or so." - -"It's probably a joke," Chips commented. He wished fervently that the -bank employee would leave and be done with his prying questions. Once he -was out of the way, the Cubs could organize an intensive search! - -"You boys seem to know what is meant by Robin Hood's Strong Box. I rather -think you're trying to keep something from me." - -"There's nothing mysterious about it," Brad said, reluctantly deciding to -reveal the hiding place. "Robin Hood's Strong Box is merely a name we -gave to a niche in the fireplace." - -"Inside the Castle?" - -"Well, yes." - -"Then you have been roving around inside again?" - -"No, we haven't," Brad replied indignantly. "We found the hiding place -long ago." - -"Show it to me," the bank employee requested. - -The Cubs would have preferred to do their investigating in his absence. -But there was no escape. - -Unwillingly, they walked with him back to the Castle. Dan noticed that -the broken window had not yet been repaired and remarked about it. - -"I've ordered new panes put in," Mr. Kain said. "Workmen have been very -slow. Rest assured though, the work will be done no later than tomorrow. -I am quite annoyed to find so much activity hereabouts." - -The Cubs would have entered through the window, but the bank official -would not permit it. - -Instead, he unlocked the front door. A faint odor of smoke still lingered -in the cool empty rooms, but this Mr. Kain did not notice. - -"Now show me Robin Hood's Strong Box," he directed. "I can't believe this -message is anything but a joke. Nevertheless, I want to see the hiding -place that is meant." - -As the Cubs led him toward the massive fireplace, Dan brought up the -rear. Glancing from one Cub to another, he noticed that Ross was missing -from the group. - -"What became of Ross?" the boy whispered to Midge. - -"Why, he was with us when we started for the Castle." - -"I thought so. He's wandered off somewhere." - -Curious to learn what had become of the boy, Dan went to one of the grimy -windows and looked out. - -Ross was not to be seen anywhere on the grounds. - -"Queer," he reflected. "I'd have thought ordinary curiosity would have -made him come with the other Cubs." - -"No one can tell what Ross will do, or where he'll go," Midge said with a -shrug. "That lad is unpredictable." - -The Cubs gathered in a half circle about the fireplace. Brad explained to -Mr. Kain how the chimney hiding place had been found. - -Before he could search the niche, the bank employee crouched down and -squinted up the dark hole. - -"Nothing here," he announced. - -"You can't see the niche," Brad told him. "But if you run your hand up -against the wall, you can feel it." - -Mr. Kain obeyed instructions. - -"Still nothing here," he declared. He withdrew his arm and brushed -cobwebs from his coat sleeve. "Well, it's no more than I expected." - -One and all, the Cubs were disappointed. They had hoped--indeed, had been -confident that a surprise awaited them. - -"Our Castle ghost has an unpleasant sense of humor," Midge complained. -"First he shoots arrows into the target just to show us how much better -he is at archery than we are. And now this!" - -Mr. Kain asked the boys several questions concerning the strange person -who had appeared from time to time. - -"We think he may have been the one who started the fire," Brad said. "So -far, we have no proof." - -"That might be somewhat difficult to obtain at this late date," the bank -employee replied. - -Smiling in a more friendly way, he turned to leave. - -"Come along, boys," he said as they would have loitered. "I want to lock -up the house." - -Mr. Holloway, Mr. Hatfield and the Cubs followed the bank man to the -door. - -Without being noticed, Dan and Brad held back. Both were unwilling to -leave the Castle without investigating the chimney niche themselves. - -Dan ran his hand up the wall, groping carefully about. - -"Nothing there?" Brad demanded impatiently. - -"Not a thing," the younger boy replied in disgust. "Mr. Kain was right. -Say--wait!" - -As Dan spoke, his hand brushed against a tiny object far back in the -niche. - -In an attempt to grasp it, he succeeded in pushing it farther back, -almost beyond reach. - -"What have you found?" Brad asked eagerly. - -"Don't know yet," Dan grunted. "My fingers touched something. Then -whatever it was slipped away from me." - -At the outside door, Mr. Kain and the Cubs were waiting. - -"Come on, Dan!" Midge called. - -Paying no heed, the boy groped again in the chimney niche. - -This time he was able to fasten his fingers about the object. - -He could feel its soft covering, and something hard inside. - -Aware that Dan had made a discovery, the other Cubs quickly returned to -the living room. - -As they gathered about the hearth, the boy brought the object to light. - -Held tightly in his hand was a small leather pouch with a drawstring. - -"It seems Robin Hood's Strong Box does have something for us after all!" -he declared triumphantly. - -The leather bag evidently had not been long in the niche for it was only -slightly soiled. - -On either side were stamped strange red and black symbols. - -"Gosh! What do you suppose it contains?" Fred demanded. "Treasure, I bet! -Open it quick, Dan, and pour out the gold." - - - - - CHAPTER 17 - A Valuable Collection - - -Dan loosened the draw string of the leather bag. - -As Mr. Kain, the Cubs and their leaders gathered close about, he spilled -the contents out into his outstretched hand. - -For a moment no one spoke. - -The bag contained perhaps fifteen coins of foreign make. Nearly all were -of silver and apparently quite old. - -"Oh, shoot!" exclaimed Midge in disappointment. "I thought we might find -a real treasure. Just a few old coins." - -"At least it's better than nothing," Dan said, fingering one of the -coins. "Even if we can't spend them, they're worth saving." - -"Let me see that coin," Mr. Kain requested suddenly. - -Surprised by the bank employee's tone, Dan handed it over. - -Immediately the man became very excited. - -"I should say these are worth saving!" he said emphatically. - -"They're valuable old coins?" inquired Mr. Hatfield. - -"That would be my opinion. This one, I'm sure, is a very old carlino." - -"What's that?" asked Red blankly. - -"Weren't carlinos minted in Italy?" Mr. Holloway inquired. - -"Formerly they were used in Naples, Sicily and Rome," Mr. Kain said. "The -coin obtained its name from the emperor Charles VI in whose time the coin -first was issued." - -"And is this coin a real old one?" Fred asked in awe. - -"I'm not an expert on such matters," Mr. Kain admitted. "This silver -piece though, very much resembles a similar coin in the British Museum." - -"Then it should be worth a lot!" exclaimed Midge. - -"Off hand, I should be inclined to agree. I can't make out the date," the -bank employee said, studying the reverse side of the coin. "It looks as -if it might be 1740 or 1730. I know the coins were made as early as -1730." - -"Gosh, we have found ourselves something!" Fred murmured in awe. "Pass -those other coins around, Dan. Let's see what they are." - -Before Dan could do so, Mr. Kain seized upon another battered coin in the -collection. - -"This is a very old gold coin!" he exclaimed. "If I'm not mistaken it's -one they call an 'angel.'" - -"What is an angel?" questioned Fred, who never had heard of a coin by -such a name. - -"It was an English gold coin, originally of the value of 6s. 8d. -sterling. Such coins first were struck off by Edward IV in 1465 and I -believe were made until 1634." - -"Then we've come upon a museum piece," remarked Mr. Hatfield. - -"These coins are priceless," the bank man declared. "That is, if they are -genuine. As I say, I am not an expert." - -Greatly impressed, the Cubs passed the coin around. Though it was badly -worn they could faintly distinguish the figure of the archangel Michael -defeating a dragon. - -"A museum would pay a large sum to add such a coin to its collection. If -my memory serves me, I've seen pictures of one of these angels on display -at the British Museum." - -"Where do you suppose the coins came from?" Brad speculated. "We know -they couldn't have been in the chimney niche very long. The hiding place -was empty when we looked there a few days ago." - -"This bag of coins must be a contribution from the Ghost of the Castle," -Dan said half in jest. "Say, you know he isn't such a bad fellow after -all!" - -In addition to the two very old coins, the collection contained several -half dollars of U. S. mintage. These, Mr. Kain said also were valuable to -collectors, though far less in demand than the rare angel and carlino. - -"Many of the coins I am unable to identify," the bank employee admitted. -"I do know enough about money though, to be certain you have a valuable -collection here." - -"Say! Maybe we'll be able to buy costumes for the play after all!" Midge -declared jubilantly. "How much do you think these coins will bring, Mr. -Kain?" - -"That is impossible to say." The bank man returned all of the coins to -the leather bag. "We must have them appraised. And then, the question of -ownership arises." - -To the Cubs the word had an ominous sound. They were certain the treasure -had been intended for them. - -Belatedly, they remembered that the Castle belonged to the bank. If he -chose to do so, Mr. Kain could claim the property. From his expression, -they were positive he meant to keep the collection. - -"Ownership should be determined," Mr. Hatfield agreed quietly. "It -doesn't seem reasonable to me that anyone in his right mind would give -away such highly valuable coins." - -"If ever we find that mysterious archer, we'll have the answer," Dan -declared. - -Mr. Kain, in a far better mood now that the coins had been discovered, -urged the Cubs to tell him what they knew of the trespasser. - -"We don't see him very often but we know he watches us when we rehearse -for our play," Dan answered. "Several times he's shot arrows and he's -very good with a bow." - -"Have you ever had a good look at the man?" - -"We're inclined to think he may be a boy," Mr. Holloway spoke up. "At -least in one of the movie scenes, we caught a fleeting glimpse of him." - -"A boy, eh?" Mr. Kain repeated, fingering the bag of coins. "In that -case, he might not have a right to this collection. It could have been -stolen." - -"Gosh, that's right!" exclaimed Red, rather alarmed. "We don't want to -get mixed up in anything shady." - -"You won't be," Mr. Kain assured the Cubs. "I'll take charge of these -coins--for the bank of course. I'll make every effort to trace the -owner." - -"And if you fail?" asked Brad significantly. - -"Well, if the owner can't be found after a reasonable length of time, the -coins will become bank property." - -"Even when Dan found 'em?" Chips asked indignantly. - -"I fear you are unfamiliar with the laws governing property," Mr. Kain -said. "Now the statutes of this state say--" - -The Cubs were never to learn what the state laws set forth, for at that -moment there came an interruption. - -The Cubs were startled to hear a sharp rattle on a window pane. - -"What was that?" Fred demanded. - -Everyone turned to look. Someone stood at the living room, his face -pressed against the window. - -"The ghost!" exclaimed Chips. - -"A ghost, my Adam's apple!" Brad snorted. "That's Ross Langdon. He only -wants to see what we're doing in here." - -On this latter point, however, the Den Chief was mistaken. - -Instead of trying to learn what the Cubs were doing, the Den 1 boy -frantically motioned for the group to join him. - -"What ails Ross, anyhow?" Midge muttered. - -As the boy's strange antics continued, the Cubs became convinced that -something actually was wrong. - -"Let's see what he wants," Dan said, starting for the door. - -Ross ran around the side of the house to meet him. - -"Dan, come quick!" he urged breathlessly. - -"What's up, Ross?" - -"I saw him!" - -"Saw whom, Ross?" - -"That little guy that shoots arrows!" - -"Where, Ross?" Dan now became excited, for in view of the bag of coins -that had been found, he knew it was vitally important to catch the -intruder. - -Before Ross could answer, the other Cubs, Mr. Kain, Mr. Holloway and Sam -Hatfield gathered around him. - -"When you all started here to see what was in Robin Hood's Strong Box, I -hid out," Ross explained, talking rapidly. "I figured whoever shot that -arrow must be hiding close by. I thought he'd probably show himself once -everyone was inside the Castle." - -"Sound reasoning," interposed Mr. Hatfield. - -"I hid in the bushes. Sure enough. I hadn't been lying low many minutes -when out pops a kid no older than Dan here. He had a bow in his hand so I -know he was the one we're after." - -"What did he do?" Dan demanded impatiently. - -"Well, he sneaked fairly close to the Castle and raised his bow as if to -shoot. I thought he was going to send an arrow flying through the broken -window." - -"Why didn't you sneak up from behind and nab him?" Brad demanded. "That -was your chance, Ross." - -"I got a little excited. I started after him all right, but I made too -much noise." - -"He heard you coming and ran?" Mr. Hatfield inquired. - -"That's right, sir. See, he dropped his bow here by the window." - -Ross picked up the bow which was made of lemonwood and gave it to Mr. -Hatfield. The Cub leader did not take time to examine it. - -"Which way did the fellow go?" he asked. - -"Into the woods." - -"You didn't try to follow him, Ross?" - -"No, but I saw him start down that winding road through the burned area." - -"That's the way he always goes!" cried Dan. "He must live somewhere near -here." - -"Maybe we can trail him if we hurry," urged Brad. He gazed questioningly -at the Cub leader, hopefully awaiting an order. - -"Let's take after him," Mr. Hatfield proposed, hesitating only -momentarily. "Our mysterious archer has many questions to answer! If we -move fast, we may catch him this time." - - - - - CHAPTER 18 - Billy Hides Out - - -Led by Ross and Mr. Hatfield, the Cubs rapidly combed the woods in the -immediate vicinity of the Castle. - -The boy had completely vanished. - -"We're wasting time searching for him among the trees," Dan offered his -opinion. "I have a hunch he went straight down the road, maybe to the -Brekenridge estate." - -"I think so too," Ross supported the opinion. "I heard him running as if -he expected to be followed." - -The Cubs set off at a fast pace through the burned area. Mr. Kain, in -poor physical trim, found it difficult to keep pace. - -"Incidentally, here is where the fire started," Dan pointed out to the -banker as they passed the remains of the small bonfire where the weiner -had been roasted. - -"Why, this isn't on bank property," Mr. Kain noted. "Possibly I have been -unjust in blaming the Cubs." - -The boys reached the end of the road without seeing anyone. - -Disappointed, they halted at the edge of the Brekenridge estate. - -"The boy may have taken off in any direction from here," Mr. Kain said -doubtfully. "Who lives at that house with the pillars?" - -"I believe the place is rented by a Colonel Brekenridge," Mr. Holloway -supplied. "I've never met him." - -"Any children?" - -"I wouldn't know." - -Through the trees the Cubs could see someone seated on the veranda. - -"That may be Mr. Brekenridge," the bank man commented. "Let's ask him if -he's seen anyone pass this way in the last ten or fifteen minutes." - -"We may not get a chance to talk to the estate owner," Dan hinted. "The -gardener there doesn't care for visitors." - -Not to be deterred by this warning, the men pushed on, followed by the -Cubs. - -Scarcely had they started up the lane from the entrance gate than a dog -began to bark. - -"We'll be announced all right," Brad said. "This place is well guarded." - -As the Cubs expected, the barking of the dog brought the gardener to see -what was amiss. - -Immediately he recognized Dan and Brad, who walked somewhat in advance of -the others in the group. - -"I thought I told you to stay away from here," he said angrily. - -"It's important that we see Mr. Brekenridge," Brad insisted. - -"Well, you can't talk to him and that's final," the man snapped. - -By this time the others in the group had come up. Seeing such a large -delegation, the gardener did not know what to make of it. Nevertheless, -he was determined that his authority should not be questioned. - -"We should like to see the master of this estate," requested Mr. Hatfield -politely. - -"Mr. Brekenridge's orders are to keep everyone off the estate." - -"Why is that?" - -"Because he likes privacy, the colonel does. Now move along and don't be -making me any more trouble." - -Some distance away an elderly man could be seen reclining on a porch -chair. Mr. Hatfield was convinced that it must be Mr. Brekenridge -himself. - -"Will you please tell the colonel that visitors are here?" the Cub leader -requested. "After all, we would not insist upon seeing him but the matter -is important." - -"If it's a business matter, you can tell me. I'll report to Mr. -Brekenridge." - -"What we have to say is for the colonel's ears alone." - -"Well, the colonel's ears ain't going to hear it!" the gardener retorted. -"I'm in charge here and I say you're not to bother the master. He's not -well enough to talk to anyone." - -"In that case, we'll not press the matter," Mr. Hatfield accepted -dismissal. "However, since Colonel Brekenridge is up and about, I -thought--" - -"Visitors worry him," the gardener cut in. "I ain't aiming to be -unfriendly, but my orders are to see he's not disturbed." - -"We'll go," the Cub leader said. "But first, tell us if you've seen a boy -pass this way in the last ten minutes." - -"I've been trimming a hedge. I ain't had time to be looking for anyone." - -"I see," said Mr. Hatfield, aware that the man would give no information. -"Thank you." - -All the Cubs started to leave. As they moved away, they heard a faint -call from the veranda. - -"Oh, Pete!" - -The gardener became somewhat confused upon seeing that Colonel -Brekenridge was beckoning to him. - -"Tell those folks to come here," the master of the estate called. - -"You heard him," the gardener muttered, annoyed that Colonel Brekenridge -had interfered. "He's willing to see you. Why, I wouldn't know, after -telling me to keep folks away." - -The Cubs and the three men went on to the pillared veranda. - -Colonel Brekenridge, once a large man now wasted to a shadow of his -former self, lay in a specially built reclining wheel chair. He wore -glasses and had been reading, for several English magazines and _The -Spectator_ were spread on a table beside him. - -"You were sending these people away, Pete?" the master of the estate -asked the gardener. "Did I not hear them ask to see me?" - -"You know you're not to over-tire yourself, Colonel Brekenridge," the man -replied. "I was only trying to look after your best interests." - -"I'm sure you were," the colonel replied kindly. "Sometimes I fear you -are inclined to be over-zealous in your duty. At any rate, I am feeling -much better these days and welcome interesting visitors." - -"I trust we'll prove interesting then," said Mr. Hatfield with a smile. -"In any case we will endeavor to be brief." - -Colonel Brekenridge waved the three men into porch chairs. The Cubs sat -on the steps in front of them. - -"I'm not as much of an invalid as my gardener would have you believe," -the colonel said with a smile. "When I first came here to live, I was -seriously ill and required absolute quiet. Now, I'm happy to say, I -appear well on the road to recovery." - -The three men introduced themselves and presented the Cubs. Mr. Hatfield -then explained that the boys had been using the adjoining property in -rehearsing for a play which they hoped soon to put on. - -"You had a fire over there the other day, didn't you?" the colonel -inquired. "I saw smoke and was a little worried lest this property be in -danger. Fortunately for my interests, the wind carried it in the other -direction." - -"We're still trying to learn how that fire started," Mr. Hatfield said. -"That is not our reason for coming here today though. We're searching for -someone who hid a small bag inside the Castle, and then ran off in this -direction." - -"We thought you might have seen him come this way," Mr. Kain added. - -"No, I can't say I have. I must admit I dozed off for fifteen or twenty -minutes." - -The Cubs now felt that they were at a complete dead-end in their search -for the elusive archer. Believing that Colonel Brekenridge was unable to -provide any useful clues, they arose to leave. - -At this point, however, Mr. Kain brought out the small leather bag. - -Even before the bank employee explained anything about it, the colonel's -eyes fastened attentively upon the pouch. - -"That little bag has a familiar look," he remarked. - -"It isn't yours by chance?" inquired Mr. Kain in surprise. - -"Those symbols remind me of a bag I once owned. May I see it please?" - -"Certainly." Mr. Kain offered the coin-filled leather pouch. - -"This certainly looks like a bag I once bought from an Indian on one of -my trips through the west," Colonel Brekenridge said. "Come to think of -it, I don't know what ever became of it either." - -"You are a coin collector perhaps?" interposed Mr. Holloway. - -"No, I have no hobbies. In my younger days I enjoyed travel and picked up -a few curios. But in no sense of the word could you call me a collector." - -Curiously, Colonel Brekenridge felt of the coins inside the bag. Mr. Kain -bade him open the pouch. - -The colonel poured the coins out onto the robe which covered his wheel -chair. - -"Well!" he exclaimed. "These too have a somewhat familiar appearance." - -"Then the coins are yours?" asked Mr. Kain. - -"No, but I think I recognize them. They belonged to my son." - -"Is the boy here now?" - -Colonel Brekenridge smiled as he moved his wheel chair so that the sun -would not shine directly into his eyes. - -"Oh, my son is a grown man," he replied. "At present he is abroad serving -in the army." - -"This puzzle grows more confusing by the minute," declared Mr. Holloway. -"Suppose we tell you exactly how we came into possession of the bag of -coins." - -The Den Dad then related how the arrow with a message attached had been -shot near Mr. Kain's car. - -Colonel Brekenridge's amazement increased as he learned that the bag had -been hidden inside the chimney of the bank-owned dwelling. - -"These coins are very valuable," he assured the Cubs. "I am certain it -was never my intention to give them away. As I said, they belonged to my -son." - -"Can you explain how the bag came to be in the hiding place?" Dan -questioned. - -"When last I saw that bag it was reposing in a drawer of a desk -upstairs," Colonel Brekenridge replied. "But I might have a theory--yes, -it amounts practically to a conviction." - -The invalid winked at the gardener. "We do have an archer in our family, -I believe?" - -"Aye, that we do," the man admitted with a heavy sigh. "Many a time he's -nearly winged me with his arrows." - -Colonel Brekenridge requested the gardener to call his nurse. - -A rustle of stiffly starched white uniform heralded her arrival a moment -later. The young woman bore a glass of milk and two tablets on a tray. - -"Oh, you have visitors, Colonel," she observed somewhat disapprovingly. -"Aren't you afraid of over-exerting yourself?" - -"Not in the least," he rumbled. "Never felt better. I suspect I've been -dying of boredom these last few months. What I need is more visitors." - -"Colonel, it is time for your medicine." - -"Medicine, be hanged! I'm sick of those ghastly concoctions the doctor -has been forcing down me. And no more of that wretched milk!" - -"You are feeling better, Colonel! Such spirit!" - -"I'm deep in a mystery," the colonel smiled. "With your help though, I -think we may be able to solve it. Miss Aldringham, will you find my -grandson, Billy, and send him here?" - -"I'll do my best, Colonel. That boy has a way of disappearing for hours -at a time." - -During the absence of the nurse, Colonel Brekenridge told the Cubs a -little about himself. He said he had rented the house six months earlier, -but had not been too pleased with the quarters. - -"For one thing, my grandson has had no playmates," he explained. "The boy -came to me three months ago from England." - -At Dan's look of surprise, the colonel explained that Billy was an -American by birth. He had spent many years in England and other foreign -countries however, in company with his father. - -"Billy hasn't been very happy here," he remarked sadly. "He's a live wire -and hasn't had enough to do. Then I must admit I've been so ill I've -scarcely concerned myself with his social needs." - -Miss Aldringham returned to the porch to report that she could not find -Billy anywhere. - -"His room is empty," she said. "I couldn't find him on the grounds -either." - -"Drat that boy!" the colonel exclaimed. "Sometimes it seems to me he -deliberately hides out! Since he's been up to mischief, he probably -figures he'll be punished." - -The Cubs might not have learned the answer to their many questions for -days to come. At that moment, however, Dan's alert gaze chanced to rove -toward a clump of bushes behind the veranda. - -The Cub was startled to catch a glimpse of a touseled brown head of hair. -A pair of blue eyes gazed squarely into his own from amid the foliage. - -Then the face was gone. - -"I saw someone in that rhododendron bush just then!" he exclaimed. - -"Nail him!" commanded the colonel. - -Dan and the gardener both made a dive for the bush. - -They emerged with a small boy in tow. Not more than eleven years of age, -he wore English cut trousers which he had rolled to the knees. His -freckled, deeply tanned face was smeared with dirt. - -"Well, Billy, I guess you knew you were wanted," the colonel said -severely. "Hiding out, weren't you?" - -"Yes, sir," replied the boy. - -His curious gaze moved from one Cub Scout to another and finally came to -rest on the leather pouch which his grandfather held. - -"Billy, you have a few matters to explain, I believe." - -The boy grinned at his grandfather. - -"Oh, sure," he admitted, undisturbed. "I'll tell you whatever you want to -know--only first you have to promise not to punish me." - -"You'll drive no bargain with me, young man. Sit down!" - -"Yes, sir," Billy gulped, collapsing on the steps. - -"Before we delve into other matters, there is one question I will ask," -said the colonel severely. "Did you or did you not have anything to do -with starting a fire at the Castle?" - - - - - CHAPTER 19 - A New Cub - - -The point-blank question did not disconcert Billy Brekenridge. - -"Why, no, Grandfather," he replied soberly. "I didn't start the fire. -That is, I don't think so." - -"You don't seem to be very certain, Billy." - -"Did you roast weiners that morning?" interposed Dan. - -"No-o," the boy replied, thinking hard. "Oh, yes, I did, too. It was only -a little fire though." - -"Little fires have a way of spreading into large ones if they are -carelessly tended," remarked Mr. Hatfield. "On that particular day a -strong wind was blowing in the direction of the Castle." - -"Then you think I started that big fire?" Billy asked, his eyes wide and -very blue. - -"We're afraid you may have done it unintentionally," his grandfather -replied. "Billy, I fear I have neglected you of late, not paying as much -attention to your comings and goings as I should have done." - -Billy said nothing, but stirred uncomfortably. He took it for granted he -was to be severely punished for having caused the fire. - -"Now there are other questions to be asked," his grandfather resumed. -"You're quite handy with a bow and arrow, I believe." - -"I should be," the boy answered. "I learned in England. My father taught -me." - -Ross Langdon produced the bow which had been picked up by the Castle. - -Before he could offer it to Billy, the boy claimed the property. - -"That's mine," he said. "I dropped it when I ran." - -"Then you're the ghost of the Castle?" Dan asked him. - -"I'm no ghost." - -"That's only the name we gave you. But you're the one who shot arrows -into our target during the tournament?" - -"And the one who kept peeking at us as we acted out our movie scenes?" -Brad questioned. - -"Sure," Billy admitted with a grin. - -"Then it follows that you're the mysterious archer who shot that arrow -near Mr. Kain's automobile," Dan resumed. "You told us to search in Robin -Hood's Strong Box." - -"Did you find the treasure?" Billy demanded. "I know you did, because I -see Grandfather has the bag of coins." - -Colonel Brekenridge directed a stern gaze upon his grandson. - -"Why did you hide the coins in the Castle chimney niche, Billy?" - -"Because I wanted the Cubs to have 'em," the boy answered promptly. "They -need money to buy costumes for their play. This was all I had." - -If the Cubs had felt any resentment toward Billy, it melted upon the -moment. - -"I'm certain you meant to be generous, Billy," his grandfather said -kindly. "You realize though that those coins are very rare and valuable. -Your father gave them to you to keep." - -"I'm sorry, Grandfather. I didn't stop to think. I only wanted to help. -The Cubs had to pay for all the damage done by the fire. I know 'cause I -overheard 'em talking about it." - -Mr. Kain squirmed uncomfortably. Now that it definitely was established -the Cubs had been blameless in the fire, he was ashamed to have taken -their money. - -"A little mistake was made," he said gruffly. - -Colonel Brekenridge asked how much the Cubs had been required to pay. -Learning that the amount was twenty dollars, he bade his nurse bring pen, -ink and a check book. - -"Billy was entirely at fault," he told Mr. Kain. "It would be most unfair -to hold the Cubs responsible for damage. I'll gladly repay the amount." - -Colonel Brekenridge made out a check to Sam Hatfield, instructing that -each boy be repaid the amount he had contributed. - -"Say, we'll get our costumes for the play after all!" Dan said -jubilantly. "We can buy a lot of special trappings!" - -"Whoop-ee!" chortled Midge, tossing his cap into the air. "Maybe we'll -win that contest yet!" - -"I'd like to make a little contribution to help along the cause," said -Mr. Kain unexpectedly. - -From his billfold, he extracted two new ten dollar bills. - -"Oh, it isn't necessary to repay us," Dan protested quickly. "Colonel -Brekenridge already has done that." - -"This is merely a little personal offering," the bank employee said, -thrusting the money into the boy's hand. "I've learned a lesson in -dealing with the Cubs. Use this to buy whatever you need for your play." - -"Thanks, Mr. Kain! And may we keep on using the Castle grounds?" - -"As long as you like, or at least until the place is sold." - -"The Castle property is for sale?" Colonel Brekenridge inquired in -surprise. - -"Yes, the bank has decided to get rid of it. The property is a white -elephant, eating up an enormous amount in taxes and maintenance. It will -be a bargain though for anyone who can afford such a mansion." - -Now that everything had been arranged to the satisfaction of the Cubs, -they had no further excuse for remaining. - -Brad arose from the steps and the other Cubs followed his example. - -"Oh, do you have to go so soon?" asked Billy, his face becoming downcast. -"Can't you stay and play with me just a little while? I'll let you use my -bow and arrow and my Ping-pong table." - -His words and manner made it instantly clear to the Cubs that the boy -suffered from loneliness. - -This fact also became evident to Colonel Breckenridge. - -"Billy," he said, "as I said before, I'm afraid I've neglected you in -recent months. Tell me, how do you spend your time?" - -"I don't know," the boy replied vaguely. "There's nothing to do here. No -one to play with ever." - -"So that is why you've roamed the woods and found mischief for yourself?" - -"I had to do something, didn't I?" Billy asked. - -"You could have had friends here." - -Billy gazed at the gardener and gave a snort. "Pete wouldn't let me! If I -even let out a yip, he would tell me to be quiet--that I was making you -worse." - -"I see," said Colonel Brekenridge quietly. - -"Whatever I did, the servants would tell me not to make so much noise," -Billy went on. "The only fun I had was watching the Cubs. I wish I could -be one." - -"And why not?" interposed Mr. Holloway heartily. "You're the right age, -Billy." - -"Also, you're mighty handy with a bow and arrow!" added Dan. "You could -teach us quite a few tricks." - -"Billy would be a real asset in our play," added Brad. "If we're to win -the prize, we need a few fancy marksmen." - -Billy's face had become highly animated. Springing up from the steps, he -gazed anxiously at his grandfather. - -"Oh, may I join?" he pleaded. "May I, Grandfather? I promise I'll be as -quiet as a mouse around here and never make you nervous." - -The colonel laughed. "Billy, you're the same as a Cub Scout right now, if -the organization will take a rascal like you! Furthermore, your days of -tiptoeing around lest you disturb me are at an end. I'm well on the road -to recovery. A little healthy boy-noise will do me good for a change!" - -Billy now turned to Mr. Hatfield, eagerly demanding to know if he might -be taken into the organization. - -"Of course we want you," the Cub leader assured him. "We'll have the -initiation as soon as possible. Meanwhile, you may take part in all our -activities." - -"The Robin Hood play?" - -"Certainly." - -Dan now spoke up. "I think Billy should be Robin Hood," he said -generously. "We all know he's a better shot than anyone in the Pack." - -"I'd like to be in the play, but I don't want the lead part," Billy -replied. - -Mr. Holloway pointed out that many of the scenes had been filmed. To -place Billy in the leading role at such a late date would mean retaking a -great deal of film. - -"We'll find a role for him," he promised. "Give me time to think of -something." - -The boys told Billy a little about the Cub organization and particularly -of their plans for the play. - -They were amazed to learn that the boy not only was thoroughly familiar -with the Robin Hood story, but had visited the real Nottingham Castle in -England. - -"You're going to be a big help to us in supplying authentic detail for -the play," Mr. Holloway assured him. - -Colonel Brekenridge remarked that it was approaching the luncheon hour. -He would not hear of the Cubs leaving. - -Instead, he invited them all to remain for a picnic lunch. - -"Pete will look after everything," he said, chuckling at his own joke. -"He likes visitors, you know." - -Billy was thrilled to think that the Cubs would remain. He flew about, -issuing orders to the servants and telling them exactly what he wanted -for lunch. Double tables were set up under the trees and a cloth was -spread. - -Although unable to join the group, Colonel Brekenridge watched from his -wheel chair on the veranda. - -"How does the story of Robin Hood end?" Midge asked, as the boys sat -eating hamburger sandwiches. "You've never told us, Mr. Holloway." - -"Robin Hood had a long and merry life in Sherwood Forest," the Den Dad -responded. "If we like, we may end our story on that note. I was thinking -though, that an epilogue might be added. In this, Billy could play the -part of Robin Hood in his old age, and shoot the last arrow." - -"How does the epilogue go?" asked Brad. - -"The story is this," Mr. Holloway explained. "Robin Hood had left -England, but as springtime returns, he craves again to roam the woodlands -of his beloved Sherwood Forest. - -"He renews acquaintance with his old friends, Little John, Will Stutely, -Allan-a-Dale and Midge, the Miller. - -"Finally he falls ill of a fever, and seeks the aid of his cousin, the -Prioress of Kirklees. The woman always has disliked Robin Hood and plots -to bring his downfall." - -"She locks him in a room of the tower and allows him to weaken!" declared -Dan, who recalled the story. "A long while elapses before Little John -hears his faint cries for help. By the time he traces the call and breaks -down the oaken door, Robin Hood is on the verge of death." - -"Yes," Mr. Holloway nodded, "and when Robin Hood realized that his hour -had come, he bade Little John string his stout bow for him and choose a -smooth arrow from his quiver. - -"Then from his bed, Robin Hood prepared to shoot through the open window. -He directed Little John to dig his grave where the arrow came to rest." - -"I don't like a sad ending to a story," Midge protested. - -The other Cubs, however, favored adding the epilogue. They thought it not -only would round up the story with a most effective scene, but would give -Billy Brekenridge a chance to play a star part. - -"I'll fix myself up to look like an old man!" the boy declared happily. -"I can shoot that arrow from a lying down position easy as anything." - -Throughout the morning, Mr. Kain had been increasingly impressed not only -by the Cubs but by their plans for the Robin Hood play. - -"When will it be given?" he asked Mr. Hatfield. - -The Cub leader told him that plans had been made to present the play -before three judges the following Saturday. An invitation also would be -extended to parents to witness the show. - -"This play deserves a larger audience," Mr. Kain declared -enthusiastically. "Why not put out posters and invite the town?" - -"We'd like to do that, Mr. Kain. The boys have worked hard. We were -afraid though, that the bank might not want so many people tramping over -the grounds." - -"Let me take care of that," replied the bank employee. "After the way the -Cubs saved the property for us, I'm sure we owe them a little something." - -The Cubs were delighted by Mr. Kain's change of attitude. - -They were even more pleased when he went on, saying: "From watching -rehearsals and listening to an outline of the epilogue, I plainly see -you're handicapped by having to do all your scenes outdoors." - -"Yes, we are, but that can't be helped," Mr. Hatfield agreed. - -"Why not do the final scene inside the Castle at the window?" - -"Could it be arranged?" - -"I'm sure of it. I'll see the bank president this very afternoon and let -you know." Mr. Kain arose and picked up his hat. "Well, good-bye boys, -and good luck in winning the contest," he said. "It's been most -educational knowing you." - -After Mr. Kain had gone, the Cubs remained for another two hours at the -Brekenridge estate. Billy seemed pathetically eager for companionship. - -He showed them about the grounds and displayed his archery equipment. Not -in the least boastful, the boy, at request of the Cubs, demonstrated his -ability with bow and arrow. - -"I've practiced for years," he said. "My father taught me in England. -You'll all be as good or better than I am, after you've practiced -awhile." - -"We doubt that," laughed Dan. "All the same, it will come in handy having -you to do a little behind-the-scenes shooting." - -"I'll be your double," Billy volunteered. "Whenever a scene requires very -accurate shooting, I can substitute for you, but my face won't show." - -Details of the various scenes in which both boys would take part were -worked out. Then it was time for the Cubs to leave. - -"You'll come again--soon?" Billy asked wistfully, escorting the group to -the estate entrance. - -"Sure," Dan told him. "As often as we're invited." - -"That will be every single day!" Billy laughed. "You won't forget your -other promise--to make me a Cub?" - -"No one can make you a Cub," Dan replied. "That's up to you. You may be -sure, though, we'll take you into the organization." - -"The initiation will be soon," Mr. Hatfield promised. "Meanwhile, boys, -let's all remember the Cub motto--'Do Your Best.' If we're to win first -in the play contest, we all must put forth top effort." - - - - - CHAPTER 20 - Epilogue - - -On the day set for the presentation of the Cubs' Robin Hood play, the -boys of Dens 1 and 2 arrived early at the Castle grounds. - -The weather had favored them. A rain the previous day had settled the -dust and the air was pleasantly cool. - -"Everything's perfect," Brad declared in satisfaction. "Now if we don't -muff our lines, we're all set." - -"I don't know," Dan replied, none too confident. "I almost wish we had -adopted Ross' idea and put on an Indian pow wow instead of such an -elaborate presentation." - -"Don't you think it!" the Den Chief replied. "Just as Mr. Hatfield said, -Indian shows are a dime a dozen." - -"That one the Hi-Y Club put on was good though, Brad. We have real -competition." - -The previous night the Cubs had witnessed the Indian skit presented by -another competitor for the grand prize. As Dan remarked, it had been very -good indeed. - -Ten organizations finally had entered the contests. Six of the -performances had been of mediocre caliber. The other three, however, -definitely were in the running for the prize. - -"Don't forget, the last things usually are best," Brad encouraged his -friend. "We've worked hard and we should win." - -"We should, but will we?" Dan countered. "The shooting match is our big -scene. If I should get nervous and miss the target--that would ruin -everything." - -"You won't be nervous, Dan," Brad said. "Quit your worrying. Now let's -get into our costumes. The crowd soon will arrive." - -For the occasion, the bank had opened the Castle to visitors. One room -had been set aside as the Cubs' dressing quarters. Here all of the Cubs -had gathered. - -"At any rate, we have top-notch costumes," Midge declared in satisfaction -as he scrambled into his tight-fitting suit of green. "Thanks to Mr. -Brekenridge and the bank officials!" - -The room buzzed with conversation. Red could not find his cap with the -yellow feather. Chips, certain that he would forget his lines, kept -mumbling them over and over. Everyone talked at once, and no one -listened. Of the group, Billy Brekenridge appeared the most calm. - -"I wish I had your confidence," Dan told him enviously. - -"Oh, I don't need any," the boy laughed. "My part is small, at the very -end. I know I can shoot Robin Hood's last arrow straight and true." - -"Wish I could be as sure of myself," Dan sighed. - -"Just relax and don't think about the crowd," Billy advised him. "You've -improved a lot in practice this last week. You'll do fine." - -The crowd soon began to arrive, everyone seating themselves on the grass -near the Castle. Presently, Mr. Hatfield brought word that the judges had -appeared. - -"I have news for you," he told the Cubs. "The judges may announce the -winner of the contest at conclusion of our performance. All the other -plays have been given, you know. Ours is the last one to be graded." - -"I hope they award us something for effort," Chips said grimly. - -Mr. Hatfield explained that the grading would be according to strict -rules. A certain number of points were to be allowed for originality of -material, a certain number for costumes, stage direction, acting ability, -and general effectiveness. - -By two o'clock, the hour set for the start of the play, a large throng -had gathered on the Castle grounds. - -The Cubs were amazed to see Colonel Brekenridge in the audience. He sat -in the shade in his wheel chair, accompanied by his nurse. - -At last came the moment of starting. Four trumpeters announced the -opening with blasts from their instruments. - -Although all scenes had been taken many times, Mr. Holloway had posted -himself at an advantageous position to make a final filming of the play. -It was planned that the picture later would be offered to other -organizations for showings. - -The play began with the prologue in which Robin Hood encountered Little -John at the bridge. - -Their sprightly duel evoked much laughter from the crowd and went off -without a single mistake. - -"Even the judges were laughing," Brad whispered to Fred. "We're doing all -right so far." - -As the play unfolded, the audience learned that a reward of two hundred -pounds had been offered for Robin Hood's head, and that the Sheriff of -Nottingham had sworn he himself would seize the outlaw. - -The Cubs were uncertain how Ross Langdon would act his role. During -practice he had alternately sulked or clowned. - -As it developed, the doubts proved needless. Ross was as determined as -the other Cubs to win honors for the Pack. He spoke his lines carefully, -and his blustering manner exactly fitted the role. - -Finally, came the vital scene of the play, the shooting match at -Nottingham Town. - -When Dan's turn came to shoot, he could feel his heart hammering against -his ribs. The other archers in the scene had shot their arrows flying -into the target. - -And, as luck would have it, two of the shots had been especially good. To -uphold the role of Robin Hood, he must beat both of them. - -"Gosh! Do your best, Dan," Midge whispered to his friend. "I didn't mean -to put an arrow in the gold. It slipped away from me!" - -Dan dared not look too long at the target. Drawing the bow, he loosed the -string. - -For a moment he stood motionless, his eye fixed upon his point of aim. He -was afraid to hope. If the arrow failed to beat the other two--the match -was a farce! - -Then a shout went up and the audience began to clap. - -The arrow had flown straight and true, lodging inside of the other two, -and clipping a bit of feather from the one Midge had shot. - -"Bravo!" shouted Midge. "A beautiful shot!" - -The play moved on swiftly now to the epilogue. - -In this final scene only Billy Brekenridge and Brad appeared, the latter -acting his role of Little John. - -Billy had been made up to look very old. Propped on pillows, he reclined -just inside the Castle, but visible to the audience. - -As the camera began to grind, Brad as Little John opened wide the -windows. - -An amplifier carried Robin Hood's final words to the audience. Speaking -with a great deal of feeling, Billy instructed Little John to make his -last resting place the spot where his arrow fell. - -Then, raising himself upright, he drew the bowstring. Out through the -open window sped the arrow. A perfect shot, it fell in a green bower -directly in view of the judges. - -A blast from the trumpets signalled the end of the performance. - -"That was swell, Billy!" Brad cried, grasping his hand. "Your shot -couldn't have been better!" - -"Where that arrow fell we'll place our target for the archery range," -Billy said dreamily. "I've got it all planned." - -Brad was too excited at the moment by the success of the play to wonder -what the boy meant. - -Parents poured around the Cubs, congratulating them upon their fine -acting. - -Though pleased that it was over, the Cubs were none too confident of -victory. The judges, they noticed, had gone into a huddle. Apparently, -they were in disagreement, for they seemed to be arguing rather heatedly. - -"No soap," Chips muttered hopelessly. "I stumbled over my lines in one -place. I'm sure that prejudiced one judge. I saw him looking hard at me." - -Ten minutes elapsed. Then word came that the judges were ready to -announce their decision. George Hutton, as spokesman for the group, -stepped out in front of the expectant audience. - -"The task of choosing the best play from among ten entries has been most -difficult," he began. "All have had exceeding merit. In the unanimous -opinion of the judges, however, one presentation has been outstanding in -every respect." - -"_Which_ one?" whispered Midge impatiently. "Can't he ever get to the -point?" - -"First prize is awarded to the Cub Scouts for their play 'Robin Hood,'" -Mr. Hutton announced. "From start to finish, the presentation was a -_finished_ production." - -After that, there was no containing the pride of the Cubs. As they talked -gleefully of their success, however, they gave full credit to Mr. -Hatfield, Midge's father, and to Brad and Dan who had contributed so -heavily of their time. - -Now that the winner had been announced, the crowd began to leave. Mr. -Holloway called the boys together to thank them for their splendid effort -and to tell them that already he had received many requests to show the -Robin Hood film. - -"Just think!" Fred said jubilantly. "Now that we've won the prize, we'll -have a complete archery set! Bows and arrows for everyone and targets! -We'll have a chance to really become experts." - -"We'll need an archery range though," Red pointed out. "Now that our play -is finished, we can't expect the bank to allow us to keep on using these -grounds." - -"That's so," Fred admitted, a trifle crestfallen. "Well, at any rate, -we'll have Billy here to teach us how to shoot." - -"Speaking of Billy reminds me of an important matter," remarked Mr. -Hatfield, who had overheard the conversation. "Officially, he isn't a Cub -yet." - -"Why don't we initiate him?" demanded Chips. - -"Soon, too," chimed in Dan. "We need Billy." - -"I was thinking the same thing," agreed the Cub leader. "Colonel -Brekenridge is here now with his nurse. He may never be able to come to -one of our meetings--" - -"He'd like to see Billy taken into the organization!" Brad exclaimed. -"Why not induct him right now?" - -All the other Cubs favored the plan. Gathering the boys in a circle, Mr. -Hatfield briefly explained the ideals and goals of the organization. - -"A real Cub is square," he told Billy. "Also he is reliable and loyal. He -sticks by his friends. A Cub prides himself upon being fair to others. -Last but far from least, he always tries to be cheerful." - -The Cub leader then explained further that the five ideals, SQUARE, -LOYAL, FAIR, HAPPY and GAME, were represented by the five fingers of the -Cub's left hand. - -Billy then was asked to repeat the Cub Promise: - -"I, Billy Brekenridge, promise to do my best, to be square and to obey -the law of the Cub Pack." - -All of the Cubs of Dens 1 and 2 repeated the Law of the Pack: - - The Cub Follows Akela. - The Cub Helps the Pack Go. - The Pack Helps the Cub Grow. - The Cub Gives Good Will. - -The boys showed Billy the official handclasp and how to make the Cub sign -with the two first fingers of the right hand. - -"You're a full fledged Bobcat now!" Brad told him when the ceremony had -been completed. "Work hard and you'll soon be a Wolf." - -"And after that a Bear and a Lion!" laughed Ross Langdon. "It's hard -going though." - -Colonel Brekenridge, who had witnessed the ceremony, asked his nurse to -wheel him to the group. - -Congratulating his grandson upon his entry into the Cub organization, he -then cordially invited the boys to come to his estate whenever they felt -the urge. - -"I don't expect to be living there long though," he added. "The place has -been none too satisfactory." - -This information rather dashed the expectation of the Cubs. - -"You're not moving away from Webster City, Colonel Brekenridge?" Dan -questioned. "We'd hate to lose Billy right after taking him into the -Den." - -"Oh, no," the colonel reassured the boys. "I expect to make my home here. -I have bought a place of my own." - -"In this section of the city, I hope," Brad said politely. - -"Very much so." Colonel Brekenridge smiled at the boys, and added -casually, "In fact, you're standing on my property now." - -The Cubs were dumbfounded. - -"You mean you've bought the Castle?" Dan demanded. - -"The deal with the bank was completed yesterday. I expect to finish the -house as the designer originally planned it. The grounds will be cleared -and replanted with shrubs and flowers." - -"Say, that's great!" Chips declared, and all the boys nodded agreement. - -"You'll be welcome here at any time," the colonel continued. "For that -matter, to make certain you'll come, I may offer a few inducements." - -"Picnic tables," suggested Billy eagerly. "Outdoor grills and -fireplaces." - -"By all means," agreed his grandfather. "We'll cut the brush from the -woods and make interesting trails." - -"The Cubs can help with that work," volunteered Dan. - -Colonel Brekenridge smiled at his willingness. - -"The Cubs have done their share of brush cutting," he said. "I want this -place to represent sheer fun for the boys." - -"Say, we're going to like that!" laughed Midge. - -"I guess SO!" chuckled Red. - -"The Cubs need an archery range," suggested Billy. - -"I intended to ask about that," said his grandfather. "Billy, fetch a bow -and arrow." - -The boy ran to do his bidding. When he returned with it, the colonel -placed the bow in Dan's hands. - -"Now, Robin Hood, you must shoot this arrow with care," he advised. "For -wherever it falls, there shall be the Cubs' future archery range." - -"I know exactly the stretch we need!" declared Dan. "If only I don't miss -my aim." - -As the other Cubs gathered about him, the boy raised his bow and took -careful aim. - -Away sped the arrow, straight and true to fall to earth exactly at the -spot he had planned. - -"There lies our future archery range," he said, smiling at Billy. "Here's -to our success!" - -"And here's to the best marksman," added Brad. "The Bobcat who taught us -the tricks of Robin Hood's trade!" - - - - - Transcriber's Notes - - ---Silently corrected a few typos (but left nonstandard spelling and - dialect as is). - ---Rearranged front matter to a more-logical streaming order. - ---Corrected one speaker in dialog (from "Dan" to "Russ"). - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dan Carter and the Haunted Castle, by -Mildred A. 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