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diff --git a/41262-0.txt b/41262-0.txt index a9c2b3b..87d6069 100644 --- a/41262-0.txt +++ b/41262-0.txt @@ -1,33 +1,4 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Dan Carter and the River Camp, 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 River Camp - -Author: Mildred A. Wirt - -Release Date: November 2, 2012 [EBook #41262] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAN CARTER AND THE RIVER CAMP *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41262 *** He had found a small cardboard box. “Dan Carter—Cub Scout and the River Camp” @@ -5798,359 +5769,4 @@ Mr. Manheim that Cubs really know their stuff!” End of Project Gutenberg's Dan Carter and the River Camp, by Mildred A. 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Wirt</title> @@ -145,42 +145,7 @@ 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 River Camp, 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 River Camp - -Author: Mildred A. Wirt - -Release Date: November 2, 2012 [EBook #41262] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAN CARTER AND THE RIVER CAMP *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -</pre> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 41262 ***</div> <div id="cover" class="img"> <img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Dan Carter—Cub Scout and the River Camp" width="500" height="716" /> @@ -5611,379 +5576,6 @@ know their stuff!”</p> <ul><li>Silently corrected a few typos (but left nonstandard spelling and dialect as is).</li> <li>Rearranged front matter to a more-logical streaming order.</li></ul> - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Dan Carter and the River Camp, by Mildred A. Wirt - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAN CARTER AND THE RIVER CAMP *** - -***** This file should be named 41262-h.htm or 41262-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/2/6/41262/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, -set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to -copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to -protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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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 River Camp - -Author: Mildred A. Wirt - -Release Date: November 2, 2012 [EBook #41262] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DAN CARTER AND THE RIVER CAMP *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - He had found a small cardboard box. -"Dan Carter--Cub Scout and the River Camp" - (_See Page 13_) - - - - - Dan Carter - Cub Scout - and the River Camp - - - by - Mildred A. Wirt - - - Illustrated - - - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - Publishers New York - - - Copyright, 1949, by - CUPPLES AND LEON COMPANY - _All Rights Reserved_ - - DAN CARTER--CUB SCOUT AND THE RIVER CAMP - - Printed in the United States of America - - - - - Contents - - - 1 Found in the Sand 1 - 2 A Coded Message 15 - 3 Stolen Furs 30 - 4 Fluke Victory 45 - 5 Paper Bag Eddie 59 - 6 Stranded 71 - 7 Camp Site 80 - 8 "Dan Carter--Take Warning" 95 - 9 A Missing Code 108 - 10 The Man at the Spring 122 - 11 A Barbecue for the Cubs 137 - 12 Following the Trail 150 - 13 Identifying a Prisoner 161 - 14 Victory for Den 2 184 - 15 The Pay-Off 204 - - - - - Dan Carter--Cub Scout and the River Camp - - - - - CHAPTER 1 - Found in the Sand - - -"Unless a breeze springs up soon, we'll be late for the Cub Scout meeting -in the Cave," Dan Carter complained. - -Sprawled in the drifting dinghy, the sandy-haired boy raised his eyes to -the limp sail which hung in discouraged folds from the tall mast. - -"We've already missed the first part of it," remarked Midge Holloway. - -A freckled youth of ten, he had draped himself pretzel-fashion over the -boat's bow. His skinny legs dangled a bare inch above the placid surface -of the wide river. - -"What time is it anyhow?" he demanded. - -At the tiller of the sailboat, Midge's father, Burton Holloway, snapped -on his flashlight to see the dial of his wrist watch. An official "Den -Dad" of Webster City Den No. 2, he frequently made river trips with the -boys and allowed them to use his sailboat whenever they liked. - -On this summer day, the three, after scrubbing the craft's fouled bottom, -had set forth for a brief sail. The wind, however, had died suddenly, -leaving them stranded far from their Yacht Club moorings. - -"It's ten after eight," Mr. Holloway answered his son. "We'll have to -work a little if we expect to get in tonight." - -Reaching for a paddle, he plied it steadily. With snail-like speed the -awkward-sized dinghy moved toward the twinkling lights visible on shore. -With the coming of darkness, a cold, penetrating fog had closed in over -the water. - -"Wish I'd brought a jacket," Dan said with a shiver. "Want me to take a -turn at the paddle, Mr. Holloway?" - -"No thanks, Dan, I'm good for awhile yet. I blame myself for being -stranded out here. The wind was dying when we left the yacht club. So I -guess we asked for trouble!" - -For some time Mr. Holloway paddled in silence. Now and then a big fish -would leap and plop into the water nearby. Otherwise, the river seemed -unusually quiet. - -Then unexpectedly from the direction of Skeleton Island came the muffled -roar of a powerful motor boat engine. - -Dan twisted around to gaze upstream. He could hear the sound of the motor -plainly but the running lights of the approaching craft were not yet -visible through the mist. - -"If that boat comes this way, we'll ask for a tow," Mr. Holloway -remarked. "Maybe we're in luck." - -Resting on the paddle for a moment, the Den Dad allowed the dinghy to -drift with the current. The roar of the motorboat engine now had -increased in volume. Yet strangely, no one in the sailboat had sighted -the oncoming craft. - -"Can it be running without lights?" Mr. Holloway remarked somewhat -anxiously. "The pilot should know better than that." - -Through the mist, Dan suddenly made out the dark, sleek outline of a -speed craft which rode low in the water. Foam boiled from her prow as she -split the waves. - -"There she is!" the boy exclaimed. "Heading this way, and coming fast!" - -Alarmed lest the craft run down the sailboat in the darkness, Mr. -Holloway turned the beam of his flashlight upon the limp sail overhead. -To make certain that they were seen, he flashed the light on and off -several times. - -No answering response came from the motorboat which drove directly toward -the sailboat. - -"Can't they see us?" Mr. Holloway demanded anxiously. - -The motor craft now was so close that those in the stranded sailboat -caught a fleeting glimpse of a stout man in dungarees who manned the -wheel. Of square jaw, the upper part of his face was hidden by a billed -sailor's cap. - -"Hey, look out!" Dan yelled. "Turn on your running lights!" - -The pilot evidently heard for he swerved the wheel slightly. And then -deliberately, as if angered by the boy's remark, he spun the spokes -again, bearing directly down upon the drifting sailboat. - -Instinctively, Mr. Holloway and the two Cubs braced themselves for a -crash. - -The pilot of the speed boat laughed boisterously. Having accomplished his -purpose--that of frightening the occupants of the sailing dinghy--he then -swerved away. - -But he had misjudged the distance. As the motorboat swung, its stern -grazed the mid-section of the sailing craft. Though the blow was a -glancing one, mahogany splintered with a grinding crash. - -Choppy waves flung the sailboat far over on its beam. Water began to seep -in through a break in the over-lap. - -Instead of throttling down, the motorboat sped away into the darkness. - -"Why, that dirty crook!" Midge exclaimed furiously. "He's wrecked our -boat, and he doesn't even intend to stop! Hey, you!" - -The man at the wheel turned slightly. In the moment before he raised his -hand to cover the exposed lower part of his face, Dan obtained a fleeting -but clear view of him. Two others in the boat crouched low and kept their -backs turned. - -Mr. Holloway leaped to his feet in the teetering sailboat. Flashing his -light on the disappearing craft, he tried to discern the license number. -None was visible. - -Despite the shouts of Mr. Holloway and the Cubs, the boat did not slacken -speed. Soon it was nearly out of sight, still running without lights. - -"Those men should be arrested!" Midge declared. "They struck us on -purpose!" - -Dan had noticed that his feet were resting in an inch of water. - -"Say, we've sprung a leak!" he cried, scrambling for a bailing can which -was kept under the seat. "Now we are in a jam!" - -The latest emergency caused Mr. Holloway to divert his attention from the -motorboat. Anxiously, he examined the jagged hole in the mahogany -over-lap through which a trickle of water oozed. - -"Midge, give me that rag under the seat!" he directed. - -As his son handed it over, Mr. Holloway wedged it as tightly as he could -into the larger hole, pressing it in with his knife blade. - -"That should help some, but we're still shipping water," he said -anxiously. "We'll have to bail." - -Already Dan was at work dipping with the tin can which was kept for just -such an emergency. While Mr. Holloway paddled hard for shore, he and -Midge took turns dipping water from the bottom of the boat. By working -steadily, they could keep ahead of it. - -"I'd certainly like to know who those men were that struck us," Mr. -Holloway remarked. "Aside from the damage they've done to our boat, -they're a menace on the river." - -"Dad, didn't you think the boat looked a little like Jonathan Manheim's?" -Midge inquired. "It was built on the same general lines." - -"I did notice a resemblance," Mr. Holloway replied. "But I never before -saw the man at the wheel. I'd hate to think it was Manheim's boat." - -Fairly well known to the Cubs, Mr. Manheim was the owner of Skeleton -Island and a prominent member of the Webster City Yacht Club. - -"Do you think he would try to run us down deliberately?" Dan asked, -working steadily with the bailing can. - -"It doesn't seem so to me, Dan. It's possible that someone else borrowed -his boat. However, since we failed to get the license number, it's -useless to speculate." - -"Odd that the boat was showing no lights," Dan said thoughtfully. "Also, -I wonder if it carried a license?" - -By this time even the faint roar of the motorboat's engine had died away -far up the river. Mr. Holloway and the Cubs knew by following the sound -that the craft had not returned to the Webster City Yacht Club. Where it -would dock they could not guess. - -"You'll try to make those men pay for the damage, won't you, Dad?" Midge -demanded. The shore now was so close he could see the twinkling lights -which marked the outline of the yacht club slip. - -"I certainly will if I can, Midge. Unfortunately, we have no proof it was -Manheim's boat." - -"He may have a few scratches to show, Dad." - -"Yes, if we notice tomorrow that his speedboat is banged up, we can be -quite certain he's the guilty party. Even so, we'll have to be rather -careful in taking the matter up with him. Manheim has many friends in the -club." - -"He won't have 'em long if he makes a practice of running down -sailboats," said Midge. "We're lucky our boat didn't sink." - -Five minutes later, the dinghy, heavily logged with water, limped to its -berth at the yacht club dock. - -"Hurry on to your Cub Scout meeting, boys," Mr. Holloway urged. "I'll -look after the boat and make a few inquiries around the club." - -Thus urged, Dan and Midge hastened along a graveled path which curled -toward a steep hillside overlooking the water front. - -A long flight of wooden steps led up to a natural limestone cave in the -rocks high above the beach. Some months before, the Cubs by hard labor -had converted this cavern into a meeting place. The room now was -attractively furnished with a couch, table, magazines and trophies. - -Breathless from hurrying, the boys reached the Cave entranceway. Already -the Cub meeting was in progress. - -Sam Hatfield, athletic coach at Webster High School, and Cub leader, -stood in the center of the cavern talking earnestly to the boys. - -Grouped about him in the lighted room were Brad Wilber who was Den Chief, -Chips Davis, Red Suell, Mack Tibbets, and Sam's own son, Fred Hatfield. - -"Glad to see you, boys," the Cub leader greeted Dan and Midge. "But -aren't you a little late?" - -Stammering apologies, Dan and Midge explained that they had been delayed -on the river. Without mentioning Mr. Manheim's name, they related how -their boat had been smashed. - -"I knew something unusual must have kept you away from the meeting," -declared the Cub leader. "Too bad about Mr. Holloway's boat. I hope you -catch those fellows." - -"Have we missed much of the meeting, Mr. Hatfield?" Dan asked anxiously. - -"Not the treasure hunt," the Cub leader reassured him. "We just wound up -the business meeting. Briefly, the Den has decided upon two goals for the -summer. The first is to win the Pack swimming meet next month." - -"That's where you come in, Dan," spoke up Brad. Nearly fourteen, the -dark-haired youngster was a Boy Scout and the acknowledged leader of the -Cubs. Even-tempered, quick of wit and fair, he had earned the respect of -the younger, boys. - -"How so?" Dan caught him up. - -"You're the best swimmer in the outfit. We're depending on you to crash -through and win the silver cup for Den 2." - -"I'll do my best," Dan promised with a pleased grin. "Guess I'll have to -get busy right away and polish off my crawl stroke." - -"What's the second goal, Mr. Hatfield?" Midge inquired. - -"Well, the Cubs have voted to help the Scouts earn enough money to buy a -permanent camp on Skeleton Island." - -"Skeleton Island?" Midge repeated, glancing quickly at Dan. "Mr. -Manheim's place?" - -"Yes, the camp will belong to the Scouts, but our Den will have the -privilege of using it for day trips and occasional over-night jaunts." - -"We need both your votes on the project," Brad interposed. "Since it's to -be a Scout rather than a Cub camp, we don't aim to go into it unless -every member of the Den is in favor of the idea." - -"Why buy a chunk of Skeleton Island?" Midge inquired. - -"It's the only suitable island hereabouts," Mr. Hatfield explained. "We -figure Mr. Manheim shouldn't ask too high a figure for a small beach -section. Of course, if you boys are against the project--" - -"You may have my vote," Dan said after a slight hesitation. - -"And mine," added Midge, a trifle reluctantly. "I just hope you're right -about Mr. Manheim being generous enough to sell at a low price." - -Being uncertain that their dinghy had been struck by Mr. Manheim's -motorboat, neither Midge nor Dan told the Cubs why mention of his name -had disturbed them. - -The business meeting presently ended with the boys gathering in a circle -to repeat the Cub Promise. - - "I promise TO DO MY BEST - To be SQUARE and - To OBEY the law of the Cub Pack." - -Parents began to drift into the Cave. On this particular night, a beach -treasure hunt had been planned. Everything now was in readiness. Clues -had been carefully hidden throughout the beach area. - -Red Suell's father handed out typewritten slips of paper containing hints -in scrambled letters. - -"You're to hunt in pairs," he instructed the Cubs. "The treasure chest -has been hidden somewhere within a quarter mile of the Cave. The first -pair to find it should signal by giving the Cub whistle. Then we'll all -join on the beach for a feed before going home." - -Dan and Brad drew identical numbers which meant they were to hunt -together. Eagerly they scanned their slip of paper on which appeared the -scrambled sentence: - -"Dinf eht glgyascr koa." - -"The first two words are 'find the--,'" Dan discerned at a glance. "But -what are those other two mind-teasers?" - -"The last one is oak," Brad contributed. "'Find the oak!' But what kind -of oak?" - -"Scraggly oak!" Dan deciphered the final word. "Come on, Brad!" - -With a shout, the two boys were off, leaving the other Cubs to puzzle out -their various clues. Clattering down the steps, the pair raced across the -smooth sand. - -The light of a pale moon plainly silhouetted a stunted oak tree against -the dark sky. Making a bee line for it, the boys searched diligently for -another clue. - -"Here it is!" Dan suddenly shouted. - -At the base of the tree he had found a small cardboard box. Inside was -another scrambled sentence which directed the boys to search for a large -piece of driftwood. - -"The beach is littered with washed-up debris," Brad observed. "This game -is getting tougher." - -Other Cubs now began to appear on the water front. However, as each clue -was different, the treasure hunters remained widely separated. - -Brad and Dan turned up perhaps twenty pieces of driftwood before they -found their third clue. The scrambled message required a long time to -decipher. On a ragged piece of cardboard had been printed: - -"Kloo denur a toab dna ouy amy dinf a hsoelv." - -"Look under a boat and you may find a shovel!" Dan finally figured it -out. "A shovel! Yipee! That means we're getting close to the treasure -chest. Maybe our next clue will lead us to it." - -"And we're miles ahead of the other Cubs," chuckled Brad. "The question -is, where's the boat?" - -Neither boy could recall having seen one on the beach that day. Because -their clue had directed them to search beneath the craft, they were -convinced that the boat must be an old one, probably overturned or -abandoned somewhere on the sands. - -"Let's look on that stretch that extends out toward the lighthouse," Brad -proposed. "It's a lonely spot--just the type of place you'd expect the -Den Dads to select for the big treasure chest pay-off." - -Scanning every inch of the sand, the boys dog-trotted toward the -lighthouse. As its bright beam swept across the water, Dan noticed a dark -outline on the beach some distance ahead. - -"That looks like a boat!" he exclaimed. - -Focusing their eyes upon it, the boys plunged on through the loose sand. -In the semi-darkness Dan paid scant heed to his footing. He stumbled, and -then suddenly halted, staring ahead. - -A dark object lay half hidden behind a little mound of sand. -Unmistakably, the form was human. - -"Jeepers!" he whispered. "_Jeepers!_" - -Brad too had seen the figure in the sand and had halted with a jerk. - -"What's this?" he muttered. "Not a joke the Den Dads are pulling on us?" - -The form at their feet was that of a boy no older than Dan. One arm -outstretched, he lay in a posture of complete exhaustion. His clothing -was water-soaked, his dark hair damp. - -"This is no joke," Brad said soberly. "Whoever this youngster is, he's in -bad shape." - - - - - CHAPTER 2 - A Coded Message - - -The dark, curly-haired boy who lay on the sand stirred slightly as Dan -and Brad bent down to shake his arm. - -Seeing their faces above him, he pulled himself up on an elbow, staring -at them with blank expression. - -Fear gleamed momentarily in his steel-gray eyes, and then he seemed to -relax. With a tired sigh, he settled back, clutching convulsively at the -sand. - -Though the Cubs tried twice to arouse him, he did not respond. - -"He's completely worn out," Brad said, deeply troubled. - -"Obviously he's been in the river," Dan added. "My guess is he's -exhausted from a long swim. Ever see him before?" - -Brad shook his head. "I'm pretty sure he never went to any of the Webster -City schools or I'd remember him. Must be a newcomer." - -"Whoever he is, he shouldn't lie here in wet clothes." - -"You're right, Dan. He'll catch his death in this night air. And he -probably needs medical attention." - -"Think we could carry him to the Cave?" - -"Not by ourselves, Dan. We need the other Cubs to help." - -Wetting his fingers, Brad gave the shrill whistle which had been agreed -upon as the signal to mark the end of the treasure hunt. - -Immediately the other Cubs began to gather from all sections of the -beach. - -"Gosh! What fast workers you little guys are!" Mack Tibbets complained -goodnaturedly as he hurried up. "It didn't take you long to dig up the -chest!" - -"We haven't found it yet," Brad replied. "But we have stumbled into -something else." - -Already Mack's startled gaze had fastened upon the sprawled figure of the -boy on the sand. Before he could comment, Mr. Hatfield and the other Cubs -arrived. - -"What's this?" the Cub leader demanded, stopping short. - -Dan explained how he and Brad had found the strange boy lying on the -sand, adding: "The kid raised up a second and then lapsed off." - -"Unconscious?" - -"I don't think so, sir," Brad replied. "He seemed more exhausted than -anything else. We haven't touched him." - -Mr. Hatfield knelt in the sand, feeling the boy's pulse which was weak -and fast. Carefully he turned him over to look directly into his face. - -Again the eyelids fluttered open and his lips moved slightly. Mr. -Hatfield bent closer but could not distinguish the words. - -"Any idea who he is?" he asked the Cubs. - -"We never saw him before," Brad answered. "We were looking for the -treasure when Dan noticed him lying here by the boat." - -"He must have crawled from the water only a few minutes ago," Mr. -Hatfield said. The Cub leader had noticed long marks in the sand, -indicating that the boy had dragged himself beyond reach of the waves. "I -suppose we'd better send for an ambulance--" - -His words trailed off, for the boy on the sand unexpectedly had stirred -to life. As if aroused by hearing the Cub leader's remark, he tried to -sit up. - -"Easy, lad," Mr. Hatfield advised, placing a supporting arm about his -shoulders. "We'll get you to a hospital." - -The boy's head shook in a vigorous negative. His fingers gripped Mr. -Hatfield's arm in a hard pressure. - -"No!" he whispered fiercely. "No!" - -Puzzled by the intensity of the boy's reaction, Mr. Hatfield studied him -a moment in silence. - -"You've been in the river?" he asked as the other offered no information. - -Again the head bobbed, this time in an affirmative answer. - -"Who are you?" Mr. Hatfield inquired, stripping off his leather jacket -and wrapping it about the shivering boy. "How did you get in the river?" - -The boy merely stared at the Cub leader and did not answer. Then with a -supreme effort, he tried to pull away from the supporting arm. - -"I go," he mumbled. "All right now." - -"Where will you go?" interposed the Cub leader. "Don't be foolish. You're -in no condition to walk. Come on, boys. Let's take him to the Cave." - -Having no stretcher or board which could be used as one, Brad and Mr. -Hatfield made a seat of their arms and carried the boy to the steps -leading up into the Cave. There they were joined by Mr. Holloway and -Red's father who helped. - -Once in the Cave, the Cubs made the boy comfortable on a couch. Stripping -off his wet garments, they wrapped him in a warm blanket. - -"Feeling better?" Mr. Hatfield asked him. "I think I should call a -doctor." - -"No--please," he mumbled, pleading with his eyes. - -To Mr. Hatfield and the fathers of the Cubs it was apparent that the boy -slowly was recovering from his ordeal in the river. And it also was -evident that for some reason, he did not wish to reveal anything about -himself. - -"Suppose you tell us your name," Mr. Hatfield suggested, seating himself -beside the boy. - -The youth regarded him with a stony stare and answered no word. - -"Maybe you'll tell us a little later," Mr. Hatfield said kindly. - -Deciding to leave the boy alone for awhile, he retired to a far corner of -the Cave to talk over the matter with Mr. Suell and Midge's father. -Neither the Cubs nor their fathers ever had seen the boy before. - -"It's queer how he came to be in the river," Mr. Hatfield remarked in an -undertone. "Plainly, he's trying to hide something." - -"Think we should turn him over to the police for investigation?" Mr. -Holloway asked, looking troubled. - -"He seems like a good sort," the Cub leader replied. "My judgment would -be to wait and see what develops. He may be suffering from shock, though -I think his refusal to talk is deliberate." - -Brad and Dan, who had taken charge of the boy's wet garments, now -approached Mr. Hatfield. - -"What is it, boys?" he inquired, aware by their manner that they had an -important disclosure to make. - -Brad asked the Cub leader if he would step outside to a platform from -which the wooden steps descended. - -Surprised by the request, Mr. Hatfield followed the two Cubs. - -"What's up?" he questioned when they were beyond the hearing of the -others. "You've learned something about that youngster?" - -"We were hanging up his clothes, and sort of went through his pockets," -Brad confessed. "Maybe we shouldn't have--" - -"On the whole, I think I might have done the same," Mr. Hatfield -reassured him. "The boy evidently has no intention of telling us anything -about himself. So I figure it's up to us to puzzle out a few facts for -ourselves." - -"Here's what we found," Dan said, offering Mr. Hatfield a scrap of heavy -wrapping paper. - -The Cub leader snapped on his flashlight to study the writing. Only two -words appeared, preceded by a string of puzzling numerals. - - "020614 7552845 24 - Skeleton Island." - -"Queer," Mr. Hatfield commented. "You say this paper came from the boy's -pocket?" - -"Yes, it was wadded up inside an old cigarette case," Dan explained. -"That's, why it wasn't water-soaked." - -"Find anything else?" - -"Only a couple of handkerchiefs, a pocket knife and a few odds and ends," -Brad replied. - -"Nothing to indicate who the boy is or where he came from?" - -"Not a thing, sir. The only clue is this scrap of paper. What do you make -of it, Mr. Hatfield?" - -"Frankly, I'm puzzled, Brad. This reference to Skeleton Island seems very -odd." - -"Do you suppose those numerals could be a code of some sort?" Dan asked -eagerly. - -"Well, that's hard to say. But by all means hang on to this paper, Dan." - -"We sure will," Dan promised, replacing it in his pocket. "If it should -be a code maybe we can work it out. The only trouble is, I wouldn't know -where to start." - -Footsteps now were heard padding softly on the steps leading to the -platform. - -Gazing down, the Cubs saw that it was Mrs. Holloway, who had arrived. The -official Den Mother climbed slowly, carrying a heavy hamper of food. - -Dan and Brad darted down the stairs to help with the basket. - -"Dear me, these steps seem steeper every time I climb them," she laughed, -pausing on the platform to recapture her breath. - -Observing through the open doorway of the Cave that all the Cubs had -gathered there, Mrs. Holloway expressed surprise that the treasure hunt -had ended so early. - -"Why, I'm late bringing the food!" she exclaimed. "I expected the beach -outing to last at least another half hour." - -Mr. Hatfield told her what had occurred, adding: "Perhaps you can do -something for the boy. He's inside." - -"You've sent for a doctor?" Mrs. Holloway inquired. - -"Yes, Mr. Suell went after Dr. Redfield a few minutes ago. The lad seems -to be coming around all right. He's a strange sort of boy--so far, he -won't tell us his name or anything about himself." - -"I'll find out," Mrs. Holloway said confidently. - -Inside the Cave, nearly all of the Cubs had gathered about the couch -where the strange boy lay. His dark brown eyes now appeared alert, and -roved systematically over the room, taking in every detail. - -He noted an animal skin which hung on the wall above the couch, a shelf -of Indian handicraft articles, and raffia baskets made by the Cubs. His -gaze dwelt longest upon a silver trophy engraved with the Den 2 name. - -"We won that cup in the Pack handicraft show," Chips volunteered, -observing the boy's interest. "Red and I made an Indian headdress which -took top honors." - -"Aw, cut out the boasting," Red interposed with a laugh. "Remember, if it -hadn't been for Brad and Dan recovering that feather war bonnet after it -was carried down river with the flood, the Den wouldn't have won a -thing." - -"That's right," Chips admitted readily. "We all worked together to earn -the trophy. And to clear the Den name too." - -As all the Cubs knew, the feathers which had been so skillfully woven -into the headdress had been obtained from the Silverton Pheasant Farm not -many miles distant. - -Due to a misunderstanding, all the Cubs had been accused of trespassing, -and Chips and Red of stealing. Only by diligent work had Dan and Brad -cleared the two boys of the charge. - -The story of how a group of daring pheasant thieves was brought to -justice, has been told in the first volume of a series, entitled: "Dan -Carter, Cub Scout." - -Quietly taking charge, Mrs. Holloway cleared the bedside by assigning the -Cubs to small tasks about the Cave. From a thermos bottle she poured a -steaming cup of hot chocolate which she pressed to the boy's lips. - -He drank slowly and then with a grateful smile expressed his thanks. - -"You're feeling better now, aren't you?" the Den Mother said, -straightening the blankets on the couch. - -The boy nodded. - -"Not very talkative, are you?" Mrs. Holloway asked with a warm smile. -"But then, you've had a most harrowing experience. How in the world did -you get in the river so late at night?" - -The strange lad did not rise to this bait, but allowed the question to -remain unanswered. - -"You haven't told us your name yet," Mrs. Holloway reminded him. - -"Jacques," he answered after a long hesitation. - -"Why, that's a French name, isn't it? Jacques--what?" - -Again the boy did not answer, merely staring at her with eyes which held -a troubled expression. - -"Never mind," said Mrs. Holloway. "If you don't feel like answering -questions, I won't press you. Later on perhaps you'll tell us about -yourself." - -She sat by the couch for a few minutes and then as Mr. Suell came in with -Dr. Redfield, retired to talk to the Cub leader again. - -"It's no use--I couldn't get a word out of him," she confessed. "My guess -is that he is foreign-born. And his first name, Jacques, would indicate -it." - -"None of the Cubs ever have seen him before," Mr. Hatfield remarked. "A -slip of paper was found in his pocket bearing the name Skeleton Island." - -"Then he may live there." - -"Possibly," Mr. Hatfield conceded. "However, the island belongs to -Jonathan Manheim. I've never heard of anyone staying there except a -caretaker who looks after the property." - -"What's to be done with the boy?" - -"We'll have to try to find his people. Possibly he's a runaway. In that -case, he may refuse to tell us the name of his parents or where he came -from. It may take a day or two to get his background." - -"I'll be glad to have him stay at my home tonight." - -"I'd figured on taking him with me," Mr. Hatfield replied. "That is, if -the doctor approves. Let's see what he has to say." - -Dr. Redfield had completed his examination of the boy and was preparing -to leave the Cave. Not wishing to discuss the patient in his presence, he -joined the Cub leader and Mrs. Holloway outside on the platform. - -"What's the verdict, doctor?" Mr. Hatfield inquired. - -"Oh, he should be all right by tomorrow morning," the doctor answered. -"He's suffering a little from shock, but nothing serious. Mr. Suell told -me the boy was found on the beach and apparently had become exhausted -from a long swim." - -"That's the way we figured it out. He's told us nothing." - -"The boy has no serious injuries," Dr. Redfield continued. "In examining -him, I did find several bruises on his legs and back." - -"What would you say was the cause, doctor?" - -"I couldn't be certain, but offhand I would think he had been beaten." - -"Then our theory that he's a runaway may be right after all. By the way, -doctor, the boy can be moved safely? I thought I'd take him to my home -for the night." - -"He'll be all right if he doesn't exert himself," the doctor replied. -"Keep him warm and quiet. If you need me in the morning, telephone and -I'll make a more complete examination." - -After the doctor had gone, Mr. Hatfield and the Cubs prepared to close up -the Cave for the night. Deciding to leave the treasure chest buried on -the beach, the boys voted to resume the interrupted hunt at their next -weekly meeting. - -Mrs. Holloway served sandwiches, chocolate and cookies to all the Cubs. -Jacques refused to eat anything but did accept another cup of hot -beverage. - -"Now let's all sing the Cub pledge before we leave," Mr. Hatfield -proposed. - -The boys gathered around and to the tune of America, warbled: - - "'Cub friendships, pure and deep, - We promise we will keep - Our pledge to thee; - We will honor and obey Akela all the way - And on that twelfth birthday - Good Scouts we'll be!'" - -At the end of the song, all the Cubs gave the salute, two fingers raised -to their foreheads. Then the meeting began to break up. - -"Brad, if you and Dan will stay here with Jacques, I'll go home for my -car," the Cub leader said. "Then we can get him down the stairs and -directly into the automobile. It shouldn't take me long." - -"We'll be glad to wait," Dan offered eagerly. - -After Mr. Hatfield had gone, the Cubs and their fathers began to drift -off home. Soon only Mrs. Holloway, her son Midge, Brad and Dan remained. - -"I'll wait for Mr. Hatfield," the Den Mother said. "He should be coming -soon." - -"I see a car parking now on the road across from the beach," Brad -observed. From where he stood near the Cave doorway, he could view the -entire river front. - -"Then I'll run along," Mrs. Holloway said, gathering up hamper and -thermos bottles. "Good-bye, Jacques. I'll certainly see you tomorrow." - -"_Merci_," he mumbled, using the French word for expressing thanks. - -The Cave became deeply silent after Mrs. Holloway had gone. Brad and Dan -moved close to the couch, studying their guest with curiosity. - -"Jacques, can't you speak English, or don't you want to?" Brad asked -presently. "You're trying to hide something--isn't that it?" - -Again the boy on the couch flashed them an inscrutable smile. But with a -gesture which plainly bespoke gratitude, he reached out to grasp Dan's -hand. - -His next act was deliberate. With two fingers extended along Dan's wrist, -he squeezed the hand with a grip which unmistakably was the official Cub -handclasp. - -"Gosh all fish hooks!" Dan exclaimed, staring down at the boy in -astonishment. "You're a Cub too! And you never let out a hint of it when -the others were here." - -Jacques allowed the boy's hand to slip from his own. With a slight shrug -and another mysterious smile, he closed his eyes and pretended to drowse. - - - - - CHAPTER 3 - Stolen Furs - - -On the morrow, Dan and Brad called early at Mr. Hatfield's home to -inquire as to the condition of Jacques. - -They found the boy up and dressed, eating a late breakfast with Mr. and -Mrs. Hatfield and Fred. Apparently none the worse for his river adventure -of the previous night, the lad seemed in fairly good spirits. - -Taking Brad and Dan aside, Fred reported to them that absolutely no -progress had been made in learning the boy's identity or anything about -his past. - -"Just as soon as one asks him a direct question, he pretends not to -understand," Fred complained. "It's all a pose." - -"What does your father plan to do with him?" Brad asked. - -"He hasn't decided yet. This afternoon we're going down to the Cave to -clean up after last night's meeting. We'll probably take Jacques with -us." - -"You know he's a Cub, I suppose," Dan remarked. - -"A Cub!" Fred was astonished. "Why, no! He didn't give us a hint of it. -What makes you think so?" - -Dan and Brad related how Jacques had grasped the former's hand in the -official Cub handclasp, mute evidence that he once had been a member of -the international organization. - -"He's a queer duck," Fred declared. "I'm sure he didn't mention to Dad -that he ever had been a Cub. Fact is, he's kept mum about everything. -Won't peep a word as to his folks or where he came from." - -The Cubs discussed Jacques a little longer, and then Brad and Dan left, -but not before promising Fred they would drop around at the Cave later to -help with the cleaning. - -Anxious to learn how much damage had been done the previous night to Mr. -Holloway's sailboat, the boys next stopped at the Webster City Yacht -Club. From Midge, who loitered on the dock, they learned that the sailing -craft already had been hauled to a nearby boat yard to be repaired. - -"The job will cost at least forty dollars," Midge reported. "What's -worse, the boat will be out of water for at least two or three days. It -makes me sick!" - -"Did your father learn if it was Manheim's boat that struck us last -night?" Dan questioned. - -"Not yet. We inquired around the clubhouse, but no one has seen the -Manheim speedboat the last couple of days." - -Brad had noticed a mahogany speedcraft which was plowing up the channel -at half-speed. "Isn't that Manheim's boat coming now?" he demanded. "It -looks like it to me." - -"Likewise the same one that struck us last night," Midge muttered, -shading his eyes as he gazed toward the sun. - -As the three Cubs watched, the boat drew closer until they could read the -license numbers--D 351, and see the bright gleam of her brasswork. - -"The boat that hit us had no visible license," Dan said, a little -troubled. "If it weren't for that, I'd say it was Manheim's craft that -smashed into us." - -"Who's at the wheel?" Brad demanded. "Not Manheim." - -The operator of the boat wore a striped red and blue jersey and soiled -brown trousers. His square jaw and grizzled sun-brown face of set -expression marked him as a man of surly temper. - -As the boat slid along toward the Manheim berth, he glanced briefly at -the Cubs. Then deliberately he looked away. - -"Wonder who he is?" Midge muttered. "He doesn't resemble anyone in that -boat last night." - -"Not the operator anyway," Dan agreed. "Actually, we didn't see the other -two fellows well enough to recognize them again." - -The Cubs kept the boat in view as it maneuvered into a reserved space at -the far end of the dock. Midge asked a club member, who loitered nearby, -if the speedboat belonged to Mr. Manheim. - -"Yes, that's his boat," the club member identified it. - -"But that isn't Mr. Manheim at the wheel?" - -"No, the pilot is a fellow who works for him at Skeleton Island. A new -man he hired a few months ago. I've heard him called Wilson Jabowski." - -After the club member had moved on, the three Cubs watched the Manheim -boat fill its gas tank at a private pump. - -"Notice her stern," Dan whispered to his companions. "Can you see any -scratches?" - -"We're too far away," Midge returned. "But I'll bet a frosted doughnut it -was Manheim's boat that rammed us last night! I'll find out!" - -Unable to restrain himself, the boy descended three steps to the lower -level, there to inspect the craft's hull. - -"Hey!" the boat operator shouted as Midge bent to look closely at the -mahogany. "What d'you think you're doing?" - -"Nothing," Midge mumbled, startled. "Just looking." - -"Well, do your lookin' somewhere else!" the man snapped. "Mr. Manheim -doesn't want kids hangin' around his boat." - -"I'm not doing any harm," Midge defended himself. "I was just noticing a -few scratches on your boat. Have you been in an accident?" - -"No," the boat operator answered gruffly. "I may have scratched the -mahogany a couple of days ago when I was backing out of the berth. Grazed -a dock post." - -"Oh, I see," Midge said, pretending to accept the explanation. "I thought -maybe you might have been in a collision last night." - -"Collision! What you drivin' at, you young whelp? Trying to make out it -was Mr. Manheim's boat that run into your Dad's sailboat?" - -"I didn't say so, did I? Anyhow, how did you know of it?" - -"Heard about the accident here at the club," the boat operator retorted. -"Let me tell you something! This boat wasn't away from Skeleton Island -last night! And another thing, Mr. Manheim doesn't go around smashing -sailboats." - -"Who said he did?" Midge demanded, now on the defensive. "I never accused -him." - -"No, but you're thinking it was this boat that hit yours. Oh, I heard you -boys whispering! Well, get this straight! You better not go to Mr. -Manheim with your complaints." - -"I'm sorry if I said anything to offend," Midge replied, his voice stony. -"To tell you the truth, I did think maybe it was his boat that struck -ours in the dark. If I've made a mistake I apologize." - -"You sure made a mistake, kid. Now get going all of you! I want to fill -this gasoline tank and get back to Skeleton Island." - -Embarrassed by the reprimand, the three Cubs took themselves to the club -where they sat on the veranda drinking cokes. - -"I sure made the old boy sore," Midge said between sips of the iced -drink. "I never intended to accuse him or say anything about the -accident. He snapped me up so fast." - -"Almost as if he had a guilty conscience," Dan agreed. "Maybe he heard -about the accident here at the club the way he said. Then again, maybe he -didn't." - -"Those scratches on the boat weren't very deep," Midge said thoughtfully. -"All in all, I guess I'd better not exercise my gums too much over the -thing. Dad wouldn't like it." - -Brad, who had been scanning the morning paper while his companions -talked, now uttered a startled snort. - -"Say, will you look at this!" he exclaimed, tapping a front page news -story. "Guess what happened last night?" - -"Break it to us gently, Brad, my boy," Midge laughed. - -"It says here that a box of furs valued at $8,500 was stolen last night -from Pier 23. So far the police haven't traced the thieves." - -Dan relieved Brad of the newspaper and read the account for himself. The -story related that during the early hours of the evening, a fast -motorboat had pulled alongside of Pier 23 where a box of furs had been -piled up with other merchandise for shipment. Before the warehouse -watchman had suspected what was happening, the craft with its unknown -occupants had sped away into the darkness. - -"Say, do you suppose that could have been the same boat that struck us -last night?" Dan demanded as he finished reading the story. - -"What time did the robbery occur?" Midge asked thoughtfully. - -"The story doesn't say. But you remember, the boat was showing no lights, -and coming from the general direction of the docks." - -"That's true," Midge admitted, impressed. "All the same, Manheim isn't -the type of man to get mixed up in a fur theft. In the first place, he -has plenty of money." - -"We may have been mistaken about it being the Manheim boat," Dan argued. - -"In any case, this story about the fur theft is interesting," Brad said, -rereading it. "It looks to me as if the river pirates are getting pretty -bold when they can pull off a robbery practically under the eyes of the -watchman." - -"I wish we had more information," Midge remarked. "Pier 23 isn't far from -here. Why not go there and see if we can pick up any more information." - -The proposal appealed to Brad and Dan. Finishing their drinks, they -caught a bus which dropped them off a few minutes later at the commercial -area of the river. - -Midge, who was fairly familiar with this section of the waterfront, led -his companions toward a small warehouse whose corrugated steel door stood -slightly ajar. - -Inside, an elderly man was taking an inventory of boxes and crates -stacked against the wall. A spry, wiry little fellow with white hair and -energy that belied his sixty-nine years, he whirled around as he heard -the boys enter. - -"You startled me," he chuckled, obviously relieved. "After last night, -I'm a mite jumpy." - -The Cubs noticed then that the warehouse man carried a revolver in a -holster at his belt. - -"I'm Hank Hawkins, at your service," he announced cheerfully. "What can I -do for you youngsters?" - -"We'd like a little information about the robbery last night," Dan spoke -up. "We're not just asking questions out of curiosity. We may have some -information for you too." - -"You kids know something about it?" - -"We may have seen the boat that pulled away from the pier. We're not -sure. What time did the robbery take place?" - -"Say, who are you kids anyhow?" the watchman demanded, without answering -the question. - -Brad gave his name and introduced his companions, explaining that they -were Cub Scouts. "I guess you think we have our nerve barging in like -this," he added. "We read about the fur robbery in the paper, and we want -to learn the details." - -"I see." Hank sat down on a packing case to light his pipe. "Well, there -ain't much to tell. The Hodur and Fameister firm sent through a box of -expensive furs. They were to have been picked up at 10 o'clock last night -by the freighter _Albone_. At eight thirty I set out the box along with -some others that were to go. Then I stepped back into the warehouse for a -minute, and it happened." - -"You say the theft occurred about eight thirty?" Dan asked thoughtfully. - -"It was about that time. Ordinarily, it wouldn't have been dark, but a -heavy fog had rolled in." - -"Did you see the motorboat and the men in it?" Midge asked. - -"Caught a glimpse of 'em as they pulled away--that was all. It all -happened so fast. They had that box off the pier and were gone before I -knew what was up." - -"What sort of boat was it?" Brad inquired. - -"A 20-ft. high-powered speedboat. Mostly she was a blur in the dark. Not -a light showing." - -"How many in the boat?" - -"Three, I'd say." - -The information tended to convince the Cubs that the craft was the same -one that had smashed into Mr. Holloway's sailboat. - -As they were telling Hank about the incident, a tapping sound was heard -on the planking outside the door. A moment later, a blindman led by a -seeing-eye dog, groped his way into the warehouse. - -"Good morning, Joe," the watchman greeted him. "How's business today?" - -"Lousy," the blindman complained. "I've sold only four packages of -pencils all morning. The sun's so hot it's wilting me. Mind if I chin for -a few minutes while I cool off?" - -"Glad to have you," Hank said, guiding the man to a seat on a box. "Boys, -meet Joe Matt, a friend of mine." - -The Cubs gave their own names. Feeling sorry for the man, Brad then -bought a package of pencils for a quarter. However, the blindman pocketed -the coin rather indifferently. - -"What do you hear from the cops?" he asked Hank. "Any clue as to the fur -thieves?" - -"Apparently it was a clean get-away. The box was insured for only half -its value and that makes it tough for Hodur and Fameister. I'm lucky I -didn't lose my job?" - -"Why should anyone blame you?" the blindman demanded. "It wasn't your -fault." - -"No, but maybe my employer will figure I should have had my eyes open a -little wider. It's the first time I've lost anything in the eighteen -years I've been workin' on the waterfront." - -Hank discussed the theft at length and then began to tell other tales of -the waterfront which kept the Cubs enthralled. Brad, Dan, and Midge -presently found themselves drawn into the conversation. They told of -their Cave on the hillside and the exciting treasure hunt which had led -to the discovery of Jacques lying on the beach. - -"Jacques?" the blindman interposed. "Is that his name? Must be one of -those foreigners." - -"French, we think," Midge revealed, failing to notice the look of intent -interest in the blindman's otherwise mask-like face. "He's not much to -talk." - -"Hasn't told you anything about himself?" - -"Not yet." - -"Where is the youngster now?" - -"He may be at the Cave." - -The blindman talked a few minutes more and then arose to leave. Dan also -slid down from the packing box on which he had perched himself. - -Slight as was the movement, it disturbed the seeing-eye dog. With a -snarl, he sprang at the boy. - -Startled, Dan leaped backward. The blindman uttered a sharp command. - -"Here, Rudy! Come here! Behave yourself!" - -Still growling and eyeing Dan with deep hate, the dog allowed his master -to grasp him by the leash. - -"Quite a vicious dog you have there," Brad said, edging away. "He might -have taken a chunk out of Dan." - -"Rudy isn't vicious," the blindman denied. "Now and then he takes a -dislike to someone. Usually he won't attack unless he's annoyed." - -"That's encouraging," Dan said with a wry grin. "Believe me, in the -future I'll take pains not to annoy him." - -Without apologizing for the incident, the blindman took the dog and went -off down the wharf. For a long while, the Cubs could hear his cane -tapping on the planks. - -"Joe Matt isn't a bad sort after you know him," the watchman remarked, -aware that the Cubs had not been favorably impressed by the man's -manners. "Being blind would make anyone out-of-sorts, I guess." - -"Sure," Brad agreed. "I suppose he's attached to that dog--though he's an -ugly animal. Wouldn't want to meet him on a dark night." - -"You can bet I'll give him a wide berth," Dan added with a laugh. "Rudy -didn't go for me. And the feeling's mutual! By the way, Hank, how long -have you known Joe Matt?" - -"Oh, I don't remember," the watchman replied indifferently, knocking the -ashes from his pipe. "Six months maybe. Well, I've been spinning yarns -long enough. Got to do a little work now." - -Accepting the remark as a dismissal, Dan, Brad and Midge said goodbye, -and left the warehouse. At the bus line, they debated, and finally -decided to make an appearance at the Cave. - -"Mr. Holloway and Fred will need some help cleaning up the place," Dan -declared. "Also, if Jacques is there, I'd like to talk to him again." - -"He seemed to go for you more than anyone else," Brad said, signaling to -a bus driver. "Maybe you can get him to loosen up a bit." - -The sun was high overhead as the three Cubs alighted from the bus ten -minutes later. Crossing the beach, they climbed to the Cave. - -Entering, they saw at once that something was amiss. Mr. Holloway and -Fred were there alone, their brooms discarded. Rather dejectedly they sat -at a table, studying an object which was hidden from view. - -"Hi!" Dan greeted the pair. "Where's Jacques? We thought you were -bringing him here." - -"We did," replied Fred significantly. - -The other Cubs looked quickly about the disordered room. Plainly Jacques -was nowhere in the Cave. - -"Where is he?" Brad demanded. "Don't keep us in suspense. He didn't take -a turn for the worse?" - -Mr. Hatfield shook his head. - -"No, Jacques appeared fine when last we saw him. This will explain." He -thrust a note into Brad's hand. "The lad left it here a few minutes ago." - -In a large, hard-to-read scrawl, the boy had written: - -"Thanks for everything. Goodbye." - -Beneath the message appeared a crudely drawn Wolf cub, its sharp ears -pointing to the final word: "Jacques." - - - - - CHAPTER 4 - Fluke Victory - - -Jacques' unexpected leave-taking came as a bitter disappointment to Brad -and Dan who had hoped to learn more about the boy. - -"We don't know where he went or why," Fred explained to the Cubs as they -reread the farewell message. "Dad and I carried a basket of trash down to -the beach, leaving Jacques here. When we came back, he was gone." - -"That was only a few minutes ago," Mr. Hatfield added. "Dan, you and Brad -didn't see the boy anywhere on the beach?" - -Dan replied that they had observed no one. - -"Dad and I weren't away from the Cave ten minutes," Fred further -explained. "I can't understand what got into Jacques. He seemed cheerful -earlier this morning." - -"Maybe he was afraid we'd ask too many questions," Brad commented, his -gaze roving slowly about the room. "Say, isn't there something different -about this place?" - -"Different?" Mr. Hatfield echoed. "A chair has been upset and another one -shoved against the wall. Come to think of it, both those chairs were in -place when Fred and I carried out the trash!" - -"Maybe someone came here while you were away and forced Jacques to -leave!" Dan exclaimed. - -"The boy seemed well enough satisfied this morning," Mr. Hatfield said, -folding and buttoning the note into his jacket pocket. "That's what makes -it seem strange that he'd leave without explaining. Suppose we look -around down on the beach." - -Eager to search for clues, the boys clattered down the stairway ahead of -the Cub leader. - -At the foot of the steps they noticed several freshly made footsteps in -the sand. Scattered among the imprints left by a small shoe were those of -a man's heavy-soled footgear. - -"Dan, your theory about someone forcing Jacques to leave may be correct!" -Mr. Hatfield exclaimed. "The boy may have gone willingly enough. But that -upset chair makes me wonder." - -Now rather excited by their discoveries, the Cubs followed the footprint -trail for twenty yards along the beach. - -Now and then, a small circular mark appeared near the shoe prints. To the -observing Cubs this indicated that a stick or similar round object had -been carried by Jacques' companion. - -"And see here!" Midge exclaimed, staring at a confusion of prints in the -sand. "Doesn't this look as if a scuffle took place, Mr. Hatfield?" - -"It does," agreed the Cub leader, praising Midge for his observation. -"Either Jacques stumbled or was given a hard shove. One can see plainly -where he fell down." - -The trail of footprints led the Cubs on to a paved road paralleling the -river front. There it abruptly ended. - -"Well, we've lost them," Mr. Hatfield said, gazing up and down the -deserted highway. - -"And now we'll never know who Jacques was or where he came from," Dan -said. "About all he told us was that he's a Cub." - -"Even that seems odd," Mr. Hatfield commented. "I've checked, and Jacques -never was a member of any Webster City Den. I only hope that whoever took -the boy away treats him right. Those bruises the doctor mentioned, rather -trouble me." - -Failure to learn what had become of Jacques disturbed not only Mr. -Hatfield but all of the Cubs. During the next three days, the topic was a -major one discussed at the Cave. - -The Cub leader reported Jacques' disappearance to police, but was -informed that no boy of his description had been reported missing. - -At first, the Cubs spent many hours trying to decipher the coded message -which Dan and Brad had removed from Jacques' clothing. - -Failing to figure it out or to hear more of the boy, the matter began to -fade into the background. Only Dan remained determined to work out the -code. - -Meanwhile, the Cubs turned their attention to an important swimming meet -which had been scheduled with the boys of Den 1. - -In a meet held the month before, the rival Den had captured top honors by -a score of 20 to 16. Defeat rankled in the hearts of the Den 2 Cubs who -were determined to make a better showing in the second contest. - -A total of three meets had been scheduled for the season. An engraved -silver loving cup would be awarded to the Den which won two of the -contests. - -"I'm afraid Ross Langdon will win the Saturday meet too," Dan remarked -glumly one afternoon as he practiced with the other Cubs at the "Y" pool. -"That guy swims as if he's jet propelled!" - -Although Den 1 boasted several fine swimmers, 11-year-old Ross was by far -the greatest threat to the rival Cubs. Muscularly built, the boy had the -energy of a youngster of fifteen. His crawl stroke lacked form, but by -sheer strength he managed to win every race he entered. - -"You swim as well as Ross does," Brad told Dan loyally. "Your form is -better." - -"Maybe," Dan admitted, "but I lack his endurance. I hold out fairly well -in the 25-yard free style, but in the 50, I began to lose my wind. And -you know we've got to capture both events to nose out Den 1 in the final -tally." - -"Sure, I know," Brad acknowledged, easing his body snake-fashion down the -pool wall into the chlorinated water. "Just get in and pitch, old boy. -Remember, the Den is counting on you!" - -"That's what makes me worried, Brad. I want to do my best. I practice and -practice, but where does it get me?" - -Sam Hatfield emerged from the dressing room in time to hear Dan's final -remark. - -"You just keep plugging and top speed will come, Dan," he said -cheerfully. "Stop worrying about Ross Langdon. One of these days his lack -of form will catch up with him. Now dive into that pool and swim eight -lengths." - -"Eight?" Dan groaned. - -"Eight," the Cub leader repeated firmly. "It's the only way you'll ever -build up your endurance. When the going gets hard--just keep going." - -Inspired by this advice, Dan dived into the water, and with smooth -strokes slashed his way the first length of the pool. - -After a turn at the wall, his breath became a little short and he slowed -down a little. By the end of the third length, his stroke lost some of -its hard drive. At five lengths, his steady six-beat leg thrash became a -tired wiggle. Finally at the end of the eighth length, Dan was holding -out by sheer will power. - -"Keep it up!" Mr. Hatfield called encouragingly. "You're doing fine." - -At that moment Ross Langdon sauntered into the pool. Large for his age -and a natural athlete, the boy's appearances at the "Y" were few and far -between, for he disliked to practice. On this afternoon, however, he had -donned satin trunks, showered, and evidently intended to swim. - -Observing Dan's now jerky stroke, he uttered a loud horse-laugh. Then to -show off, he plunged into the pool, and swam the length with a speed -which tossed foam ahead of his thrashing arms. - -Thoroughly discouraged by the display, Dan wheeled over to the side to -watch. - -"What's the use?" he muttered to Brad who slithered alongside in the -water. "I couldn't quite finish eight lengths and here Ross blazes in and -tears up the pool!" - -"That's all right, Dan," Brad encouraged him. "You won't see him doing -more than a few lengths before he caves in. You just keep plugging the -way Mr. Hatfield said." - -"But the meet is Saturday. And look at that guy travel! His form may not -be so hot, but how he can chop the water!" - -Well aware that the Cubs of Den 2 were watching, Ross swam another -length, finishing off with a snappy turn at the wall. - -Then he pulled himself from the pool, stretching out on the tile floor to -relax. - -"See, I told you!" Brad muttered. "As soon as the going gets hard, he -quits." - -"To win the 25-yard and the 50-yard dash, he won't need too much -reserve," Dan sighed. "Well, I'll sure do my best to win, but I've got a -dark brown feeling." - -On Saturday, the day set for the swimming meet, enthusiasm had mounted to -high pitch. By two o'clock, all the Cubs, their parents and many other -spectators had gathered at the "Y" to witness the contest. - -Five events had been scheduled, fancy diving, the 25-yard free style -race, the 50-yard swim, a 100-yard relay, and a back stroke event. - -Points were to be awarded on the basis of five for first place, three for -second, and one for third place. According to the rules, each team was -allowed to enter two contestants in an event. - -Den 2 swung off to a good start with Brad taking top honors and Midge -Holloway coming in third. This lead of six to three brought enthusiastic -cheers from the gallery. - -The second event, the racing back crawl, proved discouraging to Den 2. -Though Chips Davis swam an excellent race, he lost to one of the Den 1 -boys. Den 2, however, managed to snare both second and third places, -giving them a total score of 10 to 8. - -"From now on it will be nip and tuck," Brad said grimly as the 25-yard -free style was called. "So far Ross Langdon hasn't had a chance to swim." - -At the crack of the gun, Dan and Ross hit the water together. From that -first moment of the race it was evident to the spectators that the -remainder of the meet would resolve itself into a battle between the two -swimmers. - -Though Dan exerted his best efforts, Ross won the event by an easy -six-foot margin. Dan was awarded second place, while another swimmer from -Den 1 captured third position. The scoreboard proclaimed the discouraging -totals: Den 1--14. Den 2--13. - -Only two events remained, the 50-yard free style and the 100-yard relay. -However, Ross was entered in both events and the Cubs knew his flashy -speed could be counted upon to win for his den. - -"That boy is in top form today--if you can say he has any form," Midge -muttered, slapping Dan encouragingly on the back. "Well, get in there and -show him!" - -"Sure, sure," Dan laughed, but his words had a hollow ring. - -As the Cubs of Den 2 expected, their rivals walked away with the relay by -a score of 20 to 16. - -"Fat chance we have of winning now," Dan said as the final event of the -meet was called. "We'd have to make a complete sweep, and we'll be lucky -to capture one place." - -"It sure looks bad for Den 2," Brad agreed. "But get in there and fight, -boy! Ross acts a bit winded. He may not hold out." - -In the 50-yard free style, the Cubs were required to swim two lengths of -the pool. Before the start of the race, an official reminded the boys -that they must remain in their lanes and touch the wall at the turn or be -disqualified. - -At the crack of the gun Ross and Dan were off to a fast start, followed -by the field of slower swimmers. - -As Brad had observed, Ross seemed somewhat tired from his earlier -performances. His stroke looked ragged and jerky. Dan by contrast forged -smoothly ahead, pressing him hard every inch of the way. - -At the turn, the two rivals were racing almost even. Determined to gain -the lead, Ross lunged for the wall, his finger tips missing it by a scant -margin. So rapidly did he turn, that few noticed. - -Dan, tucking into a tight ball, also made a fast turn, but touched the -wall. His shove-off however, was weak. When his head came out of water -for a gulp of air, he was disconcerted to see that Ross was a full body -length ahead. - -"Come on, Dan!" his teammates yelled encouragingly. "You can do it!" - -Dan dug in, but his breath was coming hard. Despite his best efforts he -could not recapture the lead. In a moment, it seemed, the race was over. -Ross had touched the finish wall a scant arm's length ahead, and was -congratulated as the winner. - -For the members of Den 2 it was slight consolation that Mack had won -third place, nosing out a Den 1 swimmer. The scoreboard proclaimed Den 1 -the victor by a total of 25 to 20. - -"Congratulations, Ross," Dan said, offering his hand. "You swam a fine -race!" - -"Thanks," the other boy grinned. "You weren't so bad yourself. Pressed me -plenty at first." - -Other members of Den 1 had gathered in a little group. After talking -rather excitedly, they called Ross over. The other Cubs could not hear -what was said, but they gathered that Ross himself was the topic of -conversation. Apparently, he disagreed with his teammates about some -matter, for his voice rose in sharp protest. - -Then the Cubs heard him say sullenly: "Okay, if you want to be saps, go -ahead! It makes me sick, after the way I worked to win for the team!" - -Ross' teammates talked to their coach briefly. Then before the audience -or Den 2 swimmers could leave the pool, a whistle blasted for attention. - -"Ladies and gentlemen, we regret that an error has been made in scoring," -an official announced. "It has been brought to notice that one of the -contestants, Ross Langdon, failed to touch the wall at the end of the -first length." - -A buzz of conversation greeted this announcement. Brad and Dan glanced -quickly at each other, and then at Ross. The face of the latter was as -black as a summer rainstorm. - -"Due to this infraction of the rules, Ross has been disqualified," the -official continued. "Dan Carter wins first place." - -A mighty cheer rocked the pool gallery. Even heavier applause broke out -as new figures went up on the scoreboard: - - Den 2--24 Den 1--21. - -Brad and the other Den 2 teammates swarmed about Dan, clapping him on his -dripping shoulders. - -"Dan, you did it!" Red Suell congratulated him. "Now the matches are -even! If we win the third meet, that silver cup is in the bag." - -"IF is right," Dan laughed. "Don't forget, this victory was a fluke." - -From Mr. Hatfield, the Cubs learned that only the good sportsmanship of -the Den 1 teammates had been responsible for their success. Ross himself -had made no mention of his failure to touch the wall, and his error had -gone unnoticed by officials. - -"Two of Den 1 swimmers saw Ross miss the turn," the Cub leader revealed. -"They reasoned that honor means more than victory." - -"A Cub Always is Square," Dan quoted thoughtfully. - -"That's right," Mr. Hatfield agreed. "I'm proud of our boys for winning, -but equally proud of the other team for reporting the incident." - -The swimmers of Den 1 gathered around to congratulate Dan and his -teammates. Ross, however, had slipped away to the dressing room without a -word. - -"He's a little sore," one of his teammates remarked. "But he'll get over -it. The coach warned Ross plenty of times to be careful about that turn. -He never paid much attention." - -Feeling on top of the world, Dan showered and dressed. As he was getting -his things from the locker, he bumped squarely into Ross. - -Dan waited a moment, expecting the other boy to offer some word of -congratulation. When Ross said nothing, he remarked: - -"You had a tough break, fellow." - -Ross gave a snort of disgust. "I'll say it was a tough break," he agreed. -"In a straight race, you couldn't win and we both know it!" - -The remark annoyed Dan. - -"Oh, I don't know," he drawled. "My stroke is improving every day. I -noticed you were pretty well winded at the finish." - -"Bunk. I didn't even exert myself!" - -"Anyway, now that the two teams are tied, it will make a good meet when -the final contest is scheduled," Dan said, trying to ease out of a -disagreeable conversation. - -"Sure," Ross said, his eyes flashing. "Maybe you can dig up another -technical point and win the cup! You'll never earn it on merit!" - -And with that challenge, he brushed past Dan and slouched out of the -dressing room. - - - - - CHAPTER 5 - Paper Bag Eddie - - -Stung by Ross' jibe, Dan spent much of his time the next few days at the -"Y" pool. To build endurance and smooth out his stroke, he also swam in -the river. Always on these occasions he was accompanied by Brad or -Midge's father in a boat. - -Now that the swimming meet was over, the other Cubs temporarily turned -their attention to various Den activities. Brad tried to assist Dan in -deciphering the code message which had been found in Jacques' pocket. - -However, after three days of work, he gave up in disgust. - -"Maybe it isn't a code after all," he said, returning the paper to Dan. -"I figure those numerals must stand for letters that spell out a message. -But I can't get the hang of it." - -"I think I'll keep on trying," Dan said. "Not that it will mean much if -we do puzzle out the thing. Jacques is gone, and probably we'll never see -him again." - -"Wonder what became of that kid anyhow?" Brad mused. "It sure was funny, -finding him on the beach the way we did." - -"And he never told us his name or explained anything. I'd say there was -every indication someone came and took him away." - -"Mr. Hatfield made inquiries," Brad added. "No one saw the boy leave the -Cave. He's unknown in Webster City." - -Although Dan and the other Cubs had kept a close watch of the waterfront, -they had sighted no boat which resembled the one that had damaged Mr. -Holloway's craft. Therefore, the conviction steadily grew that Mr. -Manheim's speedboat might be the one involved. - -"Mr. Manheim is well spoken of at the club," Midge's father told the -boys. "It would be a serious mistake if we made any accusation against -him or any of his employees. The boat has been repaired, and as far as -I'm concerned, the matter will be dropped." - -Dan and Midge said no more about the affair, but in private they often -remarked that they thought Wilson Jabowski, the caretaker on Skeleton -Island, would bear investigation. - -"I hear he hasn't worked very long for Mr. Manheim," Dan remarked. "And -folks say that when his employer is out of town, he rides around in that -speedboat like a king." - -"Maybe if we keep our eyes open we'll catch up with him yet," Midge said. -"He may crack into another boat." - -On the regular Friday night meeting of the Den, the Cubs enjoyed the -beach treasure hunt which had been interrupted at the previous gathering. -Mack and Fred came off victorious, their clues leading them to the buried -chest which contained carpenter's tools. - -"The Den needs a bookcase," Mr. Hatfield reminded the pair as they -admired their 'find'. "We'll expect you boys to produce something -handsome now that you have the tools." - -"We'll do it too," Mack promised. - -With the treasure hunt over, all the Cubs gathered on the beach for a -council fire and "feed." Mrs. Holloway passed out hot dog sandwiches, -chocolate and thick wedges of pie. - -When the boys could eat no more, they stretched out on the sand, and -begged Mr. Hatfield to tell them a ghost story. - -"I might tell you about the ghost of Skeleton Island," he chuckled. - -"A true story?" Dan demanded. - -"It may have elements of truth," the Cub leader replied. "Basically -though, the tale is a product of the imagination." - -"You mean you're making up the story?" Midge asked in disappointment. - -"No," the Cub leader corrected. "I first heard about Skeleton Island as a -boy. According to the tale, it once was an old pirate stronghold. River -pirates would come upstream and hide their loot on the island." - -"Was any of it ever dug up?" Midge demanded. - -"Not that I ever heard. But thirty years ago, a man's skeleton was found -on the island. That's how the place received its name." - -"What about the ghost?" Dan inquired. - -"I'm coming to that part. The old freebooters supposedly built a tunnel -which connected some point of the beach with an old inn that was on the -island." - -"Not the hotel that's there now?" Brad interposed. "I mean the abandoned -one that Mr. Manheim converted into the caretaker's premises." - -"I doubt it is the same place, Brad. However, I believe that after the -old inn burned down, the present building was erected in its place. That -was at least fifty years ago." - -"And the ghost?" Red Suell reminded him. - -"The ghost? Oh, yes, to be sure. The fellow, I'm told, never was very -active. On windy nights, shore residents reported seeing a white, misty -figure moving along the beach." - -"Mist--that's probably what it was," Brad said with a snort. "Anyone -knows there are no ghosts. I'm more interested in that tunnel. Do you -think one actually was built, Mr. Hatfield?" - -"I'm inclined to think that part of the story is true, Brad." - -"Then what became of the tunnel? No one has heard of it in recent years." - -"I was asking an old timer about that only yesterday." - -"And what did he tell you?" Dan demanded, eager for additional details. - -"This old salt claimed that heavy wind storms blocked off the beach -entrance to the tunnel." - -"Couldn't it be relocated and dug out?" - -"Probably, if anyone wanted to go to that much work. It would be a big -job shifting so much sand even if the entranceway could be found. I don't -suppose Mr. Manheim ever was interested." - -"He owns the entire island, doesn't he?" Brad asked thoughtfully. Picking -up a piece of driftwood, he fed it to the dying embers of the fire. - -"That's right," the Cub leader agreed. "The Scouts have been dickering -with him for nearly six months to purchase a stretch of beach for their -permanent camp. They're also considering a site two miles farther down -river." - -"Which will they take?" Chips asked. "I should think Skeleton Island -would be better, because it's closer to Webster City." - -"So far, Mr. Manheim has asked a fairly steep price and doesn't seem -inclined to come down," the Cub leader replied. "The Scout director has -made two inspection trips and is well satisfied. Now he wants me to make -my recommendation." - -"You said the Cubs might go there on an over-night camping trip," Red -reminded him. - -All the Cubs waited expectantly for the answer. - -"Yes, if plans work out, we'll make it next weekend," Mr. Hatfield -answered. "The Den fathers are planning the trip." - -The Cubs began to talk about the proposed excursion, discussing what they -would take with them to camp. - -"Maybe we'll see the ghost of Skeleton Island while we're there!" Chips -declared hopefully. "Or find the entrance to the old tunnel!" - -The Cub meeting broke up shortly after nine o'clock. Dan and Brad -remained a few minutes after the others had gone to make certain that the -last embers of the beach fire had been extinguished. - -Then together, they started home, selecting a route which took them along -the deserted waterfront. - -At Clinton Street, the boys turned at the corner, passing a cafe from -which issued the discordant notes of a player piano. - -On the curb outside the restaurant stood a short little man, who was -munching popcorn from a paper bag. His face was sharp and weasel-like, -his eyes darting and shrewd. - -The Cubs might have passed him with scarcely a second glance, had he not -been talking to another man who looked faintly familiar to Dan. The -fellow plainly was a sailor, dark of hair and with sturdy body build. - -"That fellow looks like one of the men who were in the motorboat that -struck the Holloway sailboat!" Dan said in an undertone to Brad. - -"Not the little one with the paper bag?" - -"No, the other. I'm sure I've seen him somewhere. Let's watch for a -minute." - -Sliding into a shadowy doorway, Brad and Dan kept their eyes on the pair. -However, they were too far away to hear the conversation. A newsboy -noticed their interest. - -"Know those guys?" he asked, sidling up to them. - -Dan shook his head, hoping that the boy would move on. - -"See that guy with the paper sack," the lad continued, eager to impart -information. "Know who he is?" - -Dan shook his head. - -"That's the one they call 'Paper Bag Eddie,'" the boy said, awe in his -voice. "He's a bad one." - -"Paper Bag Eddie?" Dan repeated, keeping his voice low. "Never heard of -him." - -"You never heard of Paper Bag Eddie? Why, he's known to every cop in -town, but they never get much on him." - -"He's a crook then?" Brad interposed. - -"Sure, they say he's the brains of a waterfront gang. Guess what he -carries around in those paper bags of his'n?" - -"Popcorn," said Dan. - -"Guess again. He packs a revolver. Eddie loafs around the waterfront and -you hardly ever see him without his little paper bag." - -"I should think the police would pick him up for carrying a concealed -weapon," Brad said. - -"Oh, Eddie ain't dumb enough to go around with the revolver all the time. -Mostly you'll see him munching peanuts or popcorn, and if the cops search -him that's what they find. But if he pulls a job, he slips the revolver -into the sack. The cops figure he only has a bag of popcorn." - -"Eddie never has been arrested?" Brad inquired. - -"Oh, the cops run him in regular, but they've never dug up enough -evidence to convict him. Eddie's a slick one." - -"Who is his companion?" Dan asked. - -"Never saw him before," the newsboy said indifferently. "Some sailor, I -guess." - -Apparently aware that they were under scrutiny, Paper Bag Eddie and his -company glanced briefly at the Cubs and sauntered on down the street. A -few doors farther on they entered the Green Parrot Cafe. - -"Let's get on home," Brad urged. - -Dan, however, had another idea. - -"Brad, I'm dead certain that sailor with Paper Bag Eddie is the one who -was operating the motorboat when it crashed into Mr. Holloway's -sailboat," he insisted. "I'd like to try to pin it on him." - -"And end up in plenty of trouble. You know Mr. Holloway advised that the -entire matter be dropped." - -"Sure, I know. But that was mostly because Mr. Manheim is well known at -the club. I have a hunch he didn't know anything about the boat accident. -And it may not have been his speed craft either." - -"Even so, I say we're asking for trouble if we try striking up an -acquaintance with that pair!" - -"We don't have to speak to them," Dan argued. "Why not follow them into -the cafe and take a table nearby? We might hear something interesting." - -"W-e-ll," Brad hesitated, "I suppose it wouldn't do any harm. Okay." - -Feeling somewhat ill at ease, the two boys entered the Green Parrot. The -room was dingy and dimly lighted, its plaster walls streaked with smoke. -Only a few customers were visible. - -Brad and Dan slipped into a booth diagonally opposite a table where Paper -Bag Eddie and his companion sat. - -"You know your orders, Frisk," they heard the one with the weasel-like -face say. "When you get the signal--" - -He broke off as his gaze fastened upon Dan and Brad. The Cubs instantly -looked away but Paper Bag Eddie's suspicions had been aroused. - -Shoving back his chair, he walked over to the booth. - -"Say, what's the idea?" he demanded in a soft, purring voice. - -"I don't know what you mean," Brad returned, meeting his gaze steadily. - -"You followed me in here. Now you're trying to eavesdrop." - -"This is a free country," Brad retorted. "If my friend and I want to come -in here for a sandwich, I'd like to see you stop us!" - -"You would, eh?" the man replied, his lips parting in an ugly smile. He -grasped Brad by the shoulder, pulling him half-way out of the booth. "Who -are you and what's your game?" - -Before Brad could answer, the proprietor of the Green Parrot came quickly -from the direction of the kitchen. He had seen what was happening and did -not want any trouble in his place. - -"Cut it out, Eddie," he said. "No rough stuff here." - -"Who are these kids?" - -"How should I know? Never saw 'em before." - -"They were standing outside the cafe, watching," Eddie informed the -proprietor. "When we came in, they followed. I say, throw 'em out." - -The proprietor hesitated, reluctant to antagonize either party. - -"Throw 'em out!" Paper Bag Eddie repeated in a tone not to be denied. - -"I'm sorry, boys," the proprietor apologized. "I don't want any trouble -here. I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to leave." - -"We'll go," Brad said. "Come on, Dan." - -In sliding out from the booth seat, Dan bestowed another glance upon the -man Paper Bag Eddie had called "Frisk." More than ever he was convinced -that he had not been mistaken in identifying him as the motorboat -operator. - -"I've seen you before," he said, halting beside the table. "You were -handling the wheel of the motorboat that struck our dinghy!" - -"That's a lie!" the florid-faced man rasped. "I never set eyes on either -of you before--and what's more, I don't want to again. Now if you know -what's healthy, get out of here!" - -Dan would have stood his ground, but Brad grasped his arm, pulling him -firmly along. The proprietor followed the two boys to the door. - -"I'm sorry," he apologized once more. Then in an undertone, he added: -"Don't come back. For some reason Eddie has taken a dislike to you--and -when he's crossed, he's bad medicine!" - - - - - CHAPTER 6 - Stranded - - -Three days elapsed during which Brad, Dan and the other Cubs spent much -time at the "Y" and at the river practicing for the final swimming meet -of the year with Den 1. - -Annoyed by the manner in which they had been treated by Paper Bag Eddie -and his friend "Frisk," the two Cubs interested themselves in making a -few inquiries along the waterfront. - -They learned that a sailor by the last name of Fagan frequently was seen -with Eddie. Although known to have no employment, he was reported always -with enough money in his pocket. - -"I'm as sure as anything Fagan was in the motorboat that struck us," Dan -repeated to Brad one afternoon when the two boys were at the river -preparing for a swim. "I suspect that was why he acted so sore in the -cafe. He was afraid we'd accuse him." - -Since their meeting with Paper Bag Eddie and the sailor, the two Cubs had -not seen either of them again. Nor had they glimpsed Mr. Manheim's boat -or any that resembled it. - -On this particular afternoon, Mr. Holloway had promised to take Brad, Dan -and Midge for a sail. Four o'clock, the hour appointed for their meeting -at the Yacht Club dock, came and went. Finally, Mr. Holloway telephoned -from his office to say that he had been held up and would be unable to -make the excursion. - -"There's no reason why you boys can't take the boat by yourselves," he -urged. "You're both experienced at handling the tiller, and good -swimmers. Go ahead! Only don't go too far from the Yacht Club. A storm -could kick up before dusk." - -Fortifying themselves with bottles of pop, Dan and Brad hoisted sail and -cast off. With Brad at the tiller, they sailed down the channel, past -Fish Island, and on toward Skeleton Island. They had been anxious to -explore this island for some time. - -Dan lounged in the bottom of the boat, lazily sipping his drink. - -"Let's sail all the way around Skeleton Island," he proposed. "Okay?" - -"Sure, if we have time," Brad agreed, glancing at the darkening sky. -"Those clouds are rolling up rather fast though. We might have rain in a -couple of hours." - -"We'll make it back before then," Dan replied, stretching luxuriously. -"The breeze is just right now." - -In a long tack, they crossed to the far shore of the river and came -about, pointing toward Skeleton Island. - -As Dan dropped an empty pop bottle overboard, he noticed a mahogany -motorboat almost directly opposite the island. - -The craft had pulled up along shore, its motor idle. The boy was unable -to see the occupants or to obtain a clear view of the boat itself, for it -lay half-hidden in a clump of bushes. - -"That boat looks a little like Mr. Manheim's," he remarked, calling -Brad's attention to it. "Wonder what it's doing over there? No one -appears to be fishing." - -Holding the sailboat to its course, the two Cubs kept watch of the idle -motorboat. Though they were too far away to be certain the craft was Mr. -Manheim's, they thought it bore a marked resemblance to the craft -operated by Wilson Jabowski. - -Presently, as the boys watched, they saw someone aboard the motorboat -lower and raise a red flag three times in succession. - -"What's the idea of that?" Dan demanded, all attention. "They're -signaling!" - -"To someone on Skeleton Island," Brad added quietly. - -Dan turned his gaze toward the island beach. A man stood there, -apparently focusing his attention upon the motorboat. In answer to the -signal, he raised and lowered his arm three times. - -"What goes?" Brad muttered. - -For awhile, the Cubs witnessed nothing more of interest. The man on the -beach vanished from their range of vision, while the motorboat remained -in the clump of bushes. - -"Guess there's nothing more to see," Dan remarked in disappointment. - -"Yes, there is!" Brad corrected, bringing the sailboat closer into the -wind. "Listen!" - -The two boys distinctly could hear the putt-putt-putt of a gasoline -engine. For a minute they could not localize the sound. Then, from the -far shoulder of the island, they saw a flat gasoline-propelled raft -scooting across the river. - -"That looks like Jabowski," Dan observed. "And he's heading straight -toward the motorboat! Can we get closer, Brad?" - -"Unless the breeze shifts it will take us two or three tacks to come even -with the island." - -"And by that time, there may be nothing to see," Dan grumbled. "I sure -wish we had a pair of binoculars!" - -Dividing their attention between pressing more speed out of their own -craft, and watching the raft, the boys begrudged the time it took to make -the long tack. - -The raft, they noted, moved directly to the waiting motorboat. What -transpired at the meeting place, they were unable to see. - -So intent were the Cubs on watching the boat and raft, that they paid -scant heed to the low cumulus clouds which had gathered close to the -horizon. - -Black underneath and hard-edged, they were moving up fast from the -leeward! - -The Cubs, however, were elated because a stiffening breeze rapidly bore -them toward Skeleton Island. Now they could discern two men aboard the -motorboat. Though they could not see the face of the man on the raft, -they were convinced he was Jabowski. - -"What do you figure they're doing?" Dan speculated. "And who are those -men that have Mr. Manheim's speedboat?" - -"Maybe it isn't his," Brad replied. "I'd say it's the same length and -make though." - -Apparently observing the approach of the sailboat, the raft began to pull -away from the motor craft. - -At that same moment, a dead calm fell upon the river. Startled, Brad -raised his eye to the sail which had been drawing well. Now it had -slumped into listless, discouraged folds. - -"Just our luck!" Dan muttered in disgust. "The breeze plays out!" - -"It's worse than that," Brad said, thoroughly alarmed. "We're in the calm -that precedes a bad thunderstorm!" - -Both the sky and the water had taken on a dark cast. Although not a -breath of air stirred, heavy waves pounded against the drifting boat. - -"Gosh, we're a long ways from shore too!" Dan said in dismay. "Skeleton -Island is the closest point of land. Think we can make it before the -storm breaks?" - -"Not a chance," Brad muttered. "She's coming now!" - -Across the water they could see a misty sheet of water descending. - -"There will be wind in a minute! Plenty of it! Dan! Help me get the sail -down before it strikes us." - -Working with all speed, the boys lowered the sail from the mast. Before -they could furl it, the wind struck, throwing the boat far over on its -side. - -Dan's Cub cap was lifted from his head, and carried far down river. For a -moment it floated on the surface, and then slowly sank out of sight. - -Dan scrambled to fasten down all other loose objects. Rain now was coming -down in a torrent. Unable to see many feet ahead of them, the boys lost -sight of the raft and the motorboat. For a time they could hear the -chug-chug of the raft's engine, and then all sound except the howl of the -wind died away. - -"This is awful!" Dan exclaimed as a vivid streak of lightning cut across -the dark sky. "Let's strike for Skeleton Island. We can find shelter -there, at least." - -He reached for the paddle. Already the strong wind was propelling the -boat in the general direction of the island. - -At the tiller, Brad guided the craft more by instinct than sight. Wind -and rain had blotted out all view of the shore. - -Finally, the shadowy island loomed up. Worn out from hard paddling, Dan -put on a last burst of energy which drove the boat onto the sandy beach. - -Leaping out, he and Brad pulled the craft high up on the sand beyond -reach of the waves. Then they raced for the shelter of a heavily wooded -section some distance back from the beach. - -"Jabowski lives in the caretaker's quarters at the other end of the -island," Brad remarked, huddling against the trunk of a sheltering oak. -"We might go there." - -"I'd rather wait here, Brad. This storm shouldn't last long. Then we can -hoist canvas and sail back to the clubhouse." - -Already the rain had slackened. The Cubs waited twenty minutes under the -trees. By that time the downpour had dwindled to a drizzle. Then they -made their way back through the dripping bushes to the beach. - -"Hey! Where's our boat?" Dan demanded, stopping short. - -The stretch of beach where the craft had been left less than thirty -minutes before, now was deserted. - -"But the boat can't be gone!" Brad exclaimed, refusing to believe his -eyes. "We pulled it well up on the sand before we took shelter! The waves -weren't high enough to have washed it away!" - -"Well, it's gone all right. And there it is, Brad." - -Dan pointed two hundred yards from shore where the empty sailboat drifted -aimlessly. Slowly the craft was being carried downstream by the current. - -The Cubs stared at it in stunned dismay. Without the sailboat, they were -stranded on Skeleton Island! - - - - - CHAPTER 7 - Camp Site - - -The Cubs stood a long while, silently viewing the drifting boat. No other -craft now was visible on the river, and no one appeared aware of their -plight. - -"Maybe I could swim out there before the boat moves farther downstream," -Dan proposed, estimating the distance. - -"Not on your life!" Brad promptly vetoed the suggestion. "You're an -expert swimmer and might make it, but we're taking no chances. We've -already messed things up enough." - -"Mr. Holloway warned us a storm might blow up," Dan added, kicking -disgustedly at the wet sand. "We'd have been more alert if we hadn't been -so interested in that raft and motorboat." - -"Mr. Holloway just had his boat repaired too. Now if it sinks or rams -into something, we have no one to blame except ourselves." - -Dan's gaze had focused upon a man's large footprint visible in the sand. - -"Say! Maybe we do have someone else to blame besides ourselves!" he -cried. "Look at that!" - -Brad stared at the footprint which plainly had been made since the Cubs -had pulled their boat up on shore. Half-protected from the rain by a -piece of driftwood, it remained the only mark on an otherwise smooth -beachway. - -"Someone's been here since we were!" he exclaimed, stooping to examine -the shoe print. - -"And that someone must have set our boat free to drift, Brad!" - -"Jabowski?" - -"Could be, Brad. He took a dislike to me, I know." - -"Even so, it would be a contemptible trick. I hate to think he'd do it." - -"Who else is on the island?" - -"No one so far as I know," Brad replied, his eyes troubled. "Well, it's a -relief to know the boat didn't drift off due to our own carelessness. -Even so, we're in a jam." - -Dan nodded, his face sober. The afternoon had grown dark and night would -come on earlier than usual. When the sailboat failed to return to the -clubhouse, he knew Mr. Holloway would be very worried. - -"We'll be picked up eventually," he said, shivering in his wet clothing. -"Meanwhile, we're in for an uncomfortable time of it." - -"Let's find Jabowski's place," Brad proposed. "He might be willing to -pick up our boat with his raft, or at least take us ashore." - -"Think he'd do it? After the way he set our boat loose--" - -"We may suspect he did it, but it could have been someone else, Dan. -Anyway, isn't it better than standing here?" - -"Sure," Dan agreed. "It's our only chance." - -From the beach, the boys could see no buildings on the island. However, -from previous sails in the locality, they knew that the old hotel -building was situated in a heavily wooded section to the north. - -Setting off diagonally through a thicket of saplings, they found a trail -which led in the direction they wished to go. After wading through a -patch of weeds and rushes which came to waist-depth, they emerged into an -area of thin green turf. - -Beyond they spied the old hotel, a sprawling building with grimy windows -and broken shutters. Unpainted in recent years, it had a look of utter -abandonment. The foundation had crumbled in many places and the roof -sagged. Broken window panes in the upper story windows had not been -replaced. - -"Why, the place is deserted," Dan said in disappointment. - -"Then why is smoke coming from the chimney?" Brad demanded. Trained as a -Scout to be observing, he had noticed the blue-white wisp curling from -the rear of the building. - -"You're right. Someone must be there now. Let's knock." - -They pushed on, circling the old building. Brad rapped on the rear door. -There was no answer. - -He pounded. Still no one came to the door. Glancing upward, however, Dan -fancied he saw a face at a dirt-streaked window almost directly overhead. -Before he could be sure, the shadow was gone. - -"It's no use," Brad said, after rapping again on the door. "Someone must -be living here, but the place seems to be deserted now." - -"Either that, or Jabowski's hiding out. I thought I saw a face at the -window." - -"Where, Dan?" - -The younger boy indicated the window. - -"No one there now," Brad said. "But I think you may be right. Ever since -we came here, I've had a feeling as if we're being watched. There's -something about this place I don't like." - -Convinced they were to obtain no help from the caretaker, the boys sought -an easier route back to the beach. - -Not far from the rear of the hotel, they noticed an abandoned pier which -had fallen into decay. Tied to it was the same raft they had observed -earlier that afternoon. - -Farther down the shore extended a long stretch of loose sand which -gradually merged into turf and wooded area. - -"Wonder if that tale Mr. Hatfield told us about the tunnel is true?" Brad -speculated as they dog-trotted along. "No evidence of it anywhere -around." - -Without seeing anyone, the boys struck across the dunes, and finally -emerged on the beach not far from where they first had taken refuge. - -Gazing down-river, they sought to determine the position of their -drifting boat. To their astonishment it was nowhere to be seen. - -"Well, for crying out loud!" Dan yipped. "Now what became of it? How -could that boat have drifted out of sight so fast?" - -"It couldn't. Either someone has hauled it in or--" - -"Or what?" Dan demanded as his companion broke off. - -Instead of answering, Brad pointed far upstream. The missing sailboat had -been taken in tow by a motor launch from the Yacht Club. - -"There goes our boat now, Dan! And with it our chance for a rescue." - -"Let's yell. Maybe we can attract attention." - -In unison, the boys shouted and waved their arms. Running far down the -beach, they watched the receding launch anxiously. - -"They see us!" Brad cried in relief. "She's turning around." - -True to his observation, the motor craft had come about. With the -sailboat still in tow, it set a direct course for the island. - -"Lucky break for us," Brad mumbled in relief. "I had visions of spending -the night on this place." - -Within a few minutes the launch came close to the island. Brad and Dan -saw then that Mr. Hatfield was at the wheel, accompanied by Midge, Red -and Chips. The owner of the launch, a man they did not know, also was in -the boat. - -The Cub leader eased the craft as near shore as he could. When the launch -could approach no closer without grounding, he advised Brad and Dan to -wade out. Eager hands pulled them over the side into the launch. - -"We've been worried about you," Mr. Hatfield said, wrapping his coat -about Dan. "Didn't Midge's father warn you to remain close to the -clubhouse?" - -"He did, sir. We meant to carry out his orders. But a lot happened." - -"We'll discuss that later, Dan. The important thing is that you're both -safe. By the way, meet Mr. Fisher." - -Dan and Brad grasped the launch owner's horny hand, expressing gratitude -for the rescue. From him they learned that their drifting boat had been -sighted by Midge from the Cave. The Cub had summoned Mr. Hatfield, who -had sought the help of Mr. Fisher in finding them. - -"You and Brad scared us out of a year's growth," Chips said accusingly. -"Seeing that empty boat made us think you might have drowned." - -"Me drown?" Dan snorted. - -"You may be a crack swimmer, but accidents do occur," Mr. Hatfield -interposed. "Suppose you tell us what happened that caused you to sail so -far from the clubhouse." - -Together Dan and Brad explained how their attention had been drawn to the -raft and motorboat. - -"The storm struck us unexpectedly," Brad added. "We barely had time to -get the sail down." - -"I'm glad you managed that," Mr. Hatfield approved. "The wind didn't last -long but it was strong when it came. If it had hit you with the sail up, -the dinghy probably would have capsized." - -"We made Skeleton Island," Dan took up the account. "After beaching the -boat, we dashed back into the bushes to get out of the rain. When we -returned to the beach, our boat was gone." - -"Oh, Dan," Mr. Hatfield sighed. "How many times have I warned the Cubs -always to pull a boat beyond reach of the waves?" - -"But we did, sir! Someone deliberately set the dinghy loose." - -Mr. Hatfield braced himself as the launch swung sharply around a buoy -which marked a river shoal. - -"Your boat was set loose?" he demanded. "Are you sure, Dan?" - -"Well, we found a man's footprint in the sand. That boat couldn't have -broken away by itself." - -"We have an idea who did it," Brad added. - -"Let's mention no names," Mr. Hatfield said quickly. "That is, not unless -you're certain." - -Being unable to prove that it was Jabowski who had shoved their boat from -the beach, Dan and Brad remained silent. - -"I know you believe you were careful about the boat," Mr. Hatfield said. -"Perhaps you were. On the other hand, you might have been mistaken." - -"Hardly," commented Brad in quick protest. - -"Bear in mind that Mr. Manheim, the island owner, has been very friendly -to the Scouts and Cubs. He's given permission for us to camp on Skeleton -Island this weekend. Now if wild accusations should reach his ears, it -might prove embarrassing to say the least." - -Brad and Dan grasped the idea Mr. Hatfield intended to convey. - -"After all, maybe we were mistaken," Brad grinned. "Those waves were -pretty big." - -No more was said about the sailboat mishap at that time. But later at the -Cave, the two boys told Mr. Hatfield why they had been so interested in -the raft operator's contact with the motorboat. - -"It seemed queer the men in the motorboat would signal," Dan remarked. -"We figured it must have been Jabowski who ferried across the river to -meet them. No one else appears to be living on the island." - -"We'll know more about Skeleton Island after this weekend," Mr. Hatfield -remarked. "The camping trip should give us an opportunity to see that -everything is satisfactory before the property is purchased." - -"Then you think something queer may be going on there?" Brad demanded -alertly. - -Mr. Hatfield smiled and did not answer the question directly. "Oh, one -can't tell," he replied. "No use exciting the Cubs in any case. So not a -word of this to the other boys!" - -During the remainder of the week, preparations for the camping trip kept -Dan and Brad so busy they had little time to think of possible mystery at -Skeleton Island. - -However, unknown to them, Mr. Hatfield was more disturbed by the sailboat -incident than he cared to admit. - -On two occasions he telephoned Mr. Manheim, intending to inquire as to -any possible intruders on Skeleton Island. - -He was informed that the island owner was out of the city and would not -return before Saturday. - -Though Brad and Dan were careful to say nothing of their unfortunate -experience on Skeleton Island, the other Cubs guessed that there was more -to the story than had been told. - -"Come on--give," Midge urged. "I know you boys are too smart to let a -boat get away from you, even in a storm." - -"Nothing to report," Dan replied with a wide grin. - -His silence only made the Cubs more curious. They discussed the proposed -camping trip at great length, building up elements of mystery and -adventure. And to make their rivals, the Cubs of Den 1, envious, they -passed out hints that something queer already had happened there. - -In due time, these rumors reached the ears of Ross Langdon. - -Still smarting from his defeat in the swimming meet, he told his buddies -that he intended to have a little wholesome fun at Dan Carter's expense. - -"Just be sure it's fun and not revenge," a fellow Cub warned him. "Seems -to me you've been a sore-head ever since you lost the race." - -"Who lost a race?" Ross retorted. "I wuz robbed!" - -Unaware that Ross was plotting revenge, Dan continued to practice his -swimming faithfully at the "Y" pool. - -Between times, he slaved on the coded message left by Jacques. But try as -he would, he could not decipher it. - -"When it comes to solving a puzzle, I'm a dud," Dan remarked one -afternoon as he and Brad lounged in the cave. "And that reminds me--we've -heard nothing more about Paper Bag Eddie or his friend Fagan." - -"You know, that fellow's hook-up with a man of Eddie's shady reputation -makes me wonder if he could have had any part in the fur theft," Brad -said thoughtfully. "I've not seen a word in the paper lately about any -hauls by river pirates." - -"Neither have I, Brad. That robbery was pulled just about the time of -night Mr. Holloway's boat was hit." - -"Sure, that's what I've been thinking, Dan. Why not drop around and talk -to Hank Hawkins? He may have heard of this bird Fagan." - -Having nothing more pressing to do, Dan agreed to the proposal. - -The boys found the warehouseman at the dock chatting with his friend, Joe -Matt. The seeing-eye dog, upon sighting Dan, began to strain at his -leash. Only after the blindman had restrained the animal were the Cubs -able to enter the warehouse. - -For awhile the conversation centered on river commerce. Then presently, -Dan and Brad steered it to the topic of river pirates. - -"I wish the police would get busy and catch these pug-uglies that have -been makin' so much trouble along the waterfront," Hank said irritably. -"Trouble is, they're slick operators." - -"Have you lost any shipments lately?" Joe Matt inquired. - -"Not since the furs were snatched. All the same, I'm keeping my fingers -crossed." - -"You don't think the river pirates would strike twice in the same area?" -the blindman scoffed. "Especially with police on the lookout." - -"I wouldn't put anything past those boys!" Hank retorted as he studied a -bill of lading. "I'm taking no chances! Not with another valuable -shipment due any day." - -"Another box of furs?" - -"That's right." - -"Coming through around the 24th," the blindman remarked casually. - -"That happens to be the date," Hank admitted, gazing at the other rather -sharply. "But I don't remember saying anything about it. Fact is--" - -"You told me the other day." - -"Then it was a slip of the tongue," Hank replied. "You'll do me a favor -not to speak of the date. It's confidential information." - -"Sorry," Joe Matt apologized. "I didn't know there was any secret about -it." - -"Every precaution is being taken to safeguard the shipment. Special -police will guard the docks. I got nothing to worry about--and yet I do -it anyhow." - -"You're jittery," the blindman said, starting away. "Well, see you later. -Come on, Rudy!" - -After he had tapped off down the dock, Brad and Dan lingered a few -minutes longer. Hank, however, seemed preoccupied. Dan asked him if he -knew any sailor by the name of Frisk Fagan. - -"No, I don't," he answered a trifle irritably. "Now I wish you boys -wouldn't pester me. I got work to do." - -Thus dismissed, Brad and Dan took themselves off. - -"Hank was out of sorts because we overhead Joe Matt mention that 24th -shipping date," Dan remarked as they tramped along together. "Say, that's -funny!" - -"What is, Dan?" - -"Those two dates being the same!" - -"What two dates?" - -"Don't you recall?" Dan demanded excitedly. "That coded message Jacques -had in his pocket mentioned the 24th!" - -"The note included the numerals 24," Brad admitted. "But what does that -prove?" - -"Nothing perhaps. Then again, it may mean plenty!" Dan spoke with quiet -conviction. "I know one thing. I'm really going to work on that message. -I'll break the code if it's humanly possible!" - - - - - CHAPTER 8 - "Dan Carter--Take Warning" - - -On the night prior to the departure of Den 2 for Skeleton Island, all the -Cubs gathered at the Cave to receive final instructions. - -Mr. Hatfield informed the boys they were to meet at the Webster City -Yacht Club promptly at eight o'clock the next morning. Transportation -would be provided to the island in a launch contributed by a friend of -Midge's father. - -"Now don't oversleep," he warned as the meeting broke up. "And don't -arrive at the dock before the crack of dawn either! Try to make it about -a quarter to eight so we can leave on the hour." - -After nearly all of the Cubs had gone, Mr. Hatfield and Brad busied -themselves straightening the clubroom. Dan brought the record of the -meeting up to date. Then, pulling a chair up beside the gasoline lamp, he -reverted to his favorite occupation--that of trying to solve the coded -message left by Jacques. - -"Having any luck?" Mr. Hatfield presently inquired. - -"Not yet." Dan dropped his pencil in a gesture of utter discouragement. -"I guess I'm a sap to waste time trying to figure it out. Maybe it isn't -even a code." - -Mr. Hatfield paused at the table to study the scratch pad on which the -boy had been writing. - -"Don't give up, Dan," he advised, resting his hand for a moment on his -shoulder. "Worthwhile things usually come hard. Keep plugging." - -"I've tried every possible combination of letters. No soap." - -Mr. Hatfield studied the odd grouping of numerals: "020614 7552845 24." - -"Number 5 reappears three times," he observed. "If only you could figure -that one out, it might give you a start." - -"I've tried at least twenty combinations with no luck." - -"Well, don't give up hope, Dan. Bring the message along with you to camp. -Perhaps some of the Den Dads can figure it out while we're there." - -"Guess I'll have to," Dan sighed. "I'd rather do it myself though. I have -one more idea I want to try." - -Mr. Hatfield, who was ready to leave for home, remarked that the hour was -growing rather late. - -"Shouldn't you break it off for tonight, Dan?" he suggested. "Remember, -we leave early for Skeleton Island." - -"I'll be there, Mr. Hatfield. I just want to try one more idea. Don't -wait for me. You and Brad go on." - -The Cub leader was reluctant to leave the boy alone in the Cave. Twice -during the week, Red and Chips had reported that they thought someone -might be spying on the clubroom. - -Although inclined to believe the boys were fanciful, Mr. Hatfield -nevertheless disliked to leave Dan by himself. - -"Sure you'll be all right?" he asked. - -"Of course." - -"Brad and I will be glad to wait if you're set on working longer on that -code." - -"No need, Mr. Hatfield. I'll put out the light and see that everything is -ship-shape when I leave." - -"Well, don't stay too long, Dan." - -In departing, Mr. Hatfield and Brad lowered a canvas covering which -served as a door across the cave entrance. Of no practical value in -protecting the clubroom from intruders, it kept out wind and rain. - -Left to himself, Dan devoted himself once more to the task at hand. - -Writing out the letters of the alphabet in orderly rows, he gave each a -number, thus: - - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 - -and on through the alphabet. - -When this brought no solution he tried a second combination, starting -with the number "2" instead of "1". - - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N - 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 - -For the next twenty minutes he worked on, trying many combinations. Each -time, he started off with a higher number for the letter "A," working up -as high as "7". - -"It's no use," he decided at last. "I may as well go home." - -On the pad before Dan was a string of unused alphabetical letters. -Absently, with no hope of striking upon anything that would work, he -wrote in corresponding numbers, starting with "8." - - A B C D E F G H I J K L - 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z - 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 - -Referring to Jacques' coded message, he then began to transfer the -numbers into counterpart letters. - -"Let's see," he mused. "'0' could be either C, M or W; and '2' might be -E, O or Y. Number 6 would have to be I or S. Number 1 could represent D, -N or X. And 4 would have to be G--" - -Dan went no further, for suddenly he saw that the puzzle actually was -beginning to make sense. Excitedly he wrote in the first combination of -letters: - - 020614 - COMING - -"Yipee! I've got it!" he muttered. "I've found the key!" - -A strong gust of wind unexpectedly flapped the light canvas which hung -across the cave doorway. - -So engrossed was Dan that he did not notice. Nor did he see a shadowy -figure crouching on the platform. - -Then the light suddenly was extinguished. Startled, Dan jerked to -attention. - -As he groped for a match with which to relight the lamp, a deep voice -entoned: - -"_Take warning, Dan Carter! Remain away from Skeleton Island!_" - -Dan felt the hair rise on his neck. Chills slithered down his spine. The -mysterious voice, he realized, came from the cave entranceway. - -Recovering from the first shock of surprise, the boy sprang to his feet, -upsetting his chair. - -In three long strides he reached the entrance and jerked aside the canvas -flap. - -No one was there. But disappearing down the steps Dan saw a lean, dark -figure. - -"Hey, you!" he shouted furiously. - -The intruder only ran the faster, pulling a jacket high around his neck -to shield his face. - -Angered by the threat and determined to learn who had been spying upon -him, Dan started down the steps in hot pursuit. - -The intruder, a fleet runner, raced across the beach, heading for a clump -of bushes along the highway. Dan pounded closer and closer at his heels. - -Then, the one ahead unexpectedly tripped in the loose sand. He stumbled -and fell. In a flash Dan was upon him, pulling the jacket away so that he -could see the culprit's face. - -"Ross!" he recognized him. "Ross Langdon! Well, of all the dirty, low -tricks!" - -"Take it easy, will you?" panted the Cub from the rival Den. "You're -smashing my ribs!" - -"Serves you right! So you've been spying on the Cave!" - -"Aw, I wasn't spying," Ross protested. "Can't you take a joke?" - -"How long were you hiding there behind the canvas flap?" - -"Only a minute or two, Dan. Honest! I saw the light burning, so I thought -I'd take a peek and see who was there." - -"It was a lousy trick--especially that warning about going to Skeleton -Island." - -"Scared you, didn't I?" Ross chuckled, squirming to free himself from the -other's tight grasp. - -"You startled me. But I don't scare that easily." - -"Like fun! You nearly jumped through the roof of the Cave! What were you -working on so late, anyhow?" - -"Oh, nothing." - -"Nothing? You were so absorbed you didn't hear a thing until I waved the -canvas flap to make the light go out. You were figuring out something -with paper and pencil. Your income tax?" - -"Just a little work for the Den," Dan replied vaguely. - -"Keeping it to yourself, eh? If you'll climb off my mid-section, I'll -amble back there with you. I've always been curious to see the set-up of -your much advertised Cave." - -Dan made no comment as he let Ross up. Both boys dusted their clothing -free of sand. - -"Well, let's go," Ross said impatiently. He started toward the Cave. - -"I was just thinking it's time to go home," Dan said, following the other -boy reluctantly. "It's getting late--" - -"I'll help you close up the Cave for the night." - -"I don't need any help." - -"Sure you do. Don't be so inhospitable," Ross chuckled. "You may as well -invite me, because I'm going along anyhow." - -Dan made no further protest as he fell into step with the Den 1 boy. He -knew that Ross had in mind learning if he could, the nature of the paper -upon which he had been working. Dan was equally determined to keep -Jacques' coded message a Den 2 secret. - -"If Ross hadn't pulled that fool trick, I'd have had the code completely -broken by this time," he thought. "Now I'll have to take the message -home, because I don't want him to see it." - -The two Cubs climbed the stairs and entered the dark Cave. Dan groped his -way to the table and lighted the wick of the kerosene lamp. - -In its flickering light, the room somehow did not appear exactly as he -had left it. His chair lay overturned. Papers on the table were very -disordered. Dan did not recall having left them so. - -Not wishing Ross to see the coded message upon which he had been working, -the boy looked about for it. But the paper was not on the table. Nor -could he find it anywhere on the floor. - -Even the scratch papers on which he had written various combinations of -letters, had disappeared. - -"Lose something?" Ross inquired as his gaze traveled about the -well-furnished room. He added admiringly: "Nice diggings you have here! -Wish our Den had a cave." - -Dan, thumbing through the loose papers on the table, made no reply. - -"What's wrong?" Ross demanded. - -"I'm looking for some work I was doing when you broke in here," Dan -answered reluctantly. "Ross, you didn't--" - -"How could I have taken anything?" the other demanded. "You were hot on -my heels every minute." - -"Yeah, that's right, Ross. You were alone when you came here?" - -"Sure. What you driving at anyhow?" - -"I've lost something--an important paper. You saw me working on it when -you came up here." - -"I remember, Dan. Maybe you stuffed it in your pocket when you took after -me." - -"I don't think so. I left everything here on the table." - -To make certain, Dan searched all his pockets. The coded message was in -none of them. - -Thinking that perhaps a gust of wind had carried the paper far across the -floor of the cave, he looked in every corner and even under the couch. - -"Ross, it's gone," he said with sudden conviction. - -"But how could it have disappeared? Honest, Dan, I didn't take a thing. -And none of the Cubs from Den 1 were with me." - -"I believe you, Ross," Dan assured him. "But someone has been in here -while we were on the beach. I sensed it the instant I came in." - -"Anything else missing?" - -"Not that I've noticed. Mr. Hatfield never allows us to keep anything of -great value here because we can't lock up the cave." - -"Gosh, if it was my fault, I'm sorry," Ross said. "I wouldn't have pulled -that stunt, only it struck me as a good joke. Who would have come here?" - -"That's what I can't figure." - -"We didn't see anyone on the beach, Dan." - -"I know, but we weren't paying particular attention." Dan prepared to -blow out the kerosene lamp. "Let's go down there now and look around." - -The boys descended the long flight of wooden steps to the beach. A pale -half-moon only faintly illuminated the stretch of glistening sand. - -"No one around, Dan," Ross said, looking up and down the beach. "You'll -probably find that paper in the morning." - -The other boy made no reply. He was staring at the sand near the base of -the steps. - -"What do you see now?" Ross demanded. - -"Someone has been here," Dan said quietly. - -"Footprints, you mean?" Ross was inclined to scoff at the other boy's -observation. "You can't tell anything by that. You had a Den meeting -tonight. Probably those large footprints were made by one of the Den -Dads." - -"That could be, Ross. But I'm noticing something else too." - -"Well, don't keep it a secret, Wise Guy," Ross said, a trifle irritably. -"What have those bright little searchlights of yours picked up?" - -Dan pointed to a series of tiny circular marks in the hard-packed sand. -Approximately one-half inch deep and perhaps a foot and a half apart, the -imprints led down-beach into a clump of bushes. - -"What's so strange about that?" Ross demanded. - -Offering no reply, Dan walked over to the bush. As he had expected, no -one now was hiding there. - -However, in the soft sand appeared additional footprints from a large -man's shoe. And beside them were several mysterious circular marks which -he thought might have been made by someone using a walking stick. - -Dan turned to Ross who had followed him. "Will you do me a favor?" he -asked. - -"What kind?" the other boy asked with caution. - -"Say nothing to any of the Cubs about what happened tonight--either those -in your Den or mine." - -"W-e-ll," Ross hesitated, for he knew the story would make good telling. -"Okay, I'll keep mum if you will. The joke didn't pan out quite as I -expected. But why do you care?" - -"I'll tell you, Ross. What happened tonight convinces me someone has been -spying on the Cave. I know Mr. Hatfield would just as soon the fact isn't -advertised." - -"You think a gang of boys--fellows who aren't Cubs--are aiming to make -trouble?" - -"I don't believe boys are mixed up in it, Ross." - -"Grownups?" - -"That would be my guess." - -Ross was inclined to make light of Dan's theory. "Oh, you're building up -too much out of nothing," he insisted. "You'll find that missing paper in -the morning. Mark my words." - -"Let's hope you're right," Dan said as the two boys started for home. - -Actually, he had no hope whatsoever. A conviction had grown upon him that -the paper left by Jacques never would be seen again. - -And with its disappearance had vanished his last chance to solve the -mysterious coded message. - - - - - CHAPTER 9 - A Missing Code - - -Dan was at the Cave before seven o'clock the next morning. Early as was -the hour, Mr. Hatfield had arrived ahead of him and already had moved out -most of the camping equipment which was to be taken to Skeleton Island. - -"Why, hello, Dan," the Cub leader greeted him in pleased surprise. "I -hardly expected to see you before eight o'clock." - -"I scarcely expected to see myself," Dan grinned. "Fact is, I came to -look for a paper I lost last night. Mr. Hatfield, I nearly broke the code -only to have the message disappear!" - -Quickly the boy related everything that had occurred. - -"Ross and I agreed not to tell any of the Cubs," he added. "I figured it -would only worry them." - -"You're right in keeping quiet about it," Mr. Hatfield said at once. "I -hadn't intended to mention it, but for several days I've had a feeling -this place is being spied upon. Frankly, I don't like it." - -"Any idea who may be doing it, Mr. Hatfield?" - -"None whatsoever." - -"Do you think it has anything to do with that message we found, or -Jacques?" - -"I've wondered, Dan. My mind is not at rest with regard to that boy. -Obviously he was a Cub, yet I've been unable to find any Den or Pack in -which he ever was registered. Of course, he could have given us a -fictitious first name." - -"It was miserable luck losing the coded message last night," Dan -complained. "I'd just figured out the first word--'Coming'--when whiff -went the light." - -"The paper may be here. Let's make a thorough search." - -Mr. Hatfield swept the cave floor while Dan searched every possible -cranny. The missing paper was not found. - -"Well, at least nothing else appears to be missing," the Cub leader said -after he had checked all the camping equipment. "It seems that whoever -came here last night must have been after that coded message. Dan, if I'd -known this earlier--" - -"You'd have called off the camping trip," Dan completed, guessing at his -thought. - -"Yes, Jacques must have had a connection with Skeleton Island or the name -wouldn't have appeared on the paper. I have an uneasy feeling about going -there." - -"The camp will be well guarded with so many of the fathers going along." - -"I realize that, Dan, but even so--" - -"The Cubs would be terribly disappointed if you called off the trip now," -Dan interposed. "Oh, heck, Mr. Hatfield, I shouldn't have told you about -losing that paper!" - -"On the contrary, you did exactly right. Well, I suppose it wouldn't be -fair to call off the trip on such short notice. We'll go on just as we -planned." - -"Oh, thanks, Mr. Hatfield!" - -"Don't thank me," the Cub leader rejoined. "Just keep your lips buttoned -and your eyes open after we reach Skeleton Island. If you notice anything -out of the ordinary, report to me. But don't say or do anything to worry -or stir up the Cubs." - -"I'll remember," Dan promised. - -"Now lend a hand with this camping equipment," Mr. Hatfield said briskly. -"I want to have everything at the dock before eight o'clock." - -Two hours later found the Cubs in their temporary camp on Skeleton -Island. Tents already were up, balsam beds in preparation of making, and -a trench fire started for the noon-day meal. - -A beach near the camp sloped gently out into the river more than fifteen -yards. This the Den Dads marked off with ropes and floats. Beyond was a -somewhat deeper area, suitable for the more experienced swimmers. - -"I wish we had a diving raft," Brad remarked, surveying the -possibilities. - -"Why not build one?" proposed Mr. Hatfield. "I saw some old boards and a -log or two lying back in the brush. We easily can build a small raft." - -For an hour the Cubs busied themselves carrying boards and logs to the -riverside. Mr. Hatfield supervised the work, showing the boys how to fit -the logs together to make a firm framework for the platform. - -When it was ready for use, Dan, Brad and Sam Hatfield anchored the raft -in deep water. - -"I'm all tuckered out," Dan announced, pulling himself up on the platform -to rest. "You know, camping is mighty hard work!" - -"It is until your camp is set up right," Sam Hatfield agreed. "After -that, it's easy. If the Scouts decide to buy this property, we'll have -cabins and an improved beach. The brush will need to be cleared away. But -it will make a first class camp." - -"I hope the Scouts decide to buy," Dan said, rolling over so that the sun -would warm his back. - -"The site seems ideal to me. It's close to Webster City. The beach area -is unusually good, and the island has a natural spring. Plenty of -woodland for nature trails too." - -"You think the Scouts will buy it?" Brad asked. Seated on the edge of the -raft, his dangling feet beat a steady tattoo in the water. - -"That remains to be seen," Mr. Hatfield replied. "There are several -factors to be considered." - -He did not amplify the statement, for just then Midge's father called -from shore to warn that lunch would be ready in twenty minutes. - -With a shout of pleasure, the Cubs scrambled for the beach. Dan and Brad -dived from the raft, racing each other in. - -"No fooling, you get faster every day," Brad praised his companion. "If -you don't take Ross for a cleaning in our next swimming meet, I'll miss -my guess." - -"I only hope if I win I do it in a straightaway race, not on a technical -point," the younger boy rejoined. "Ross still figures he lost on a -fluke." - -By the time the Cubs were dressed, lunch was ready. Squatting around the -glowing coals, they filled their plates with steak, potatoes and generous -helpings of carrots. - -As his crowning achievement, Mr. Holloway produced a pan of delicately -browned biscuits baked in a home-made reflector oven which he had -fashioned. - -"How does the meal taste, boys?" he asked. - -"Swell!" approved Red, reaching for another biscuit. "As a cook, we'll -give you the tin medal!" - -When the last scrap of food had disappeared, the Cubs doused sand on the -fires, dispatched the dishes and then stretched out to enjoy a rest. - -Chips, however, soon became restless. - -"I think I'll amble down the beach and explore," he announced. "Who -knows? Maybe I'll find the entrance to that old tunnel Mr. Hatfield told -us about!" - -"If you do, write me a letter about it," Brad joked, stretching lazily. -"I'm treating myself to a snooze. That swim made me drowsy." - -"Don't go out of sight of camp, Chips," Mr. Hatfield advised the boy as -he started away. - -"Aw, Mr. Hatfield--" - -"I'm asking the Cubs to stay pretty much in this section of the island," -the Cub leader explained. "Later on, we'll do our exploring in a group." - -"Oh, all right," Chips consented reluctantly. - -"Want me to go along?" Fred asked. - -Chips, acting as if he had not heard, ambled off. Fred, who preferred to -remain in camp, let him go alone. - -Fresh water was needed, so Dan and Mack went to the nearby spring for a -bucket of water. The other Cubs finished making their balsam beds. This -work completed, they joined Brad under the shade trees. - -"Wonder what's become of Chips?" Mr. Hatfield presently remarked, -scanning the beach area. "I don't see him anywhere." - -"You know Chips," said Brad significantly. - -"I do indeed. His intentions are good, but he's apt to wander off." - -"Odd that he went by himself," Brad mused. "He really gave Fred the -brush-off. Want me to see what's become of him, Mr. Hatfield?" - -"I may look him up myself," the Cub leader replied, getting to his feet. - -However, it was unnecessary for him to go in search. Scarcely five -minutes later, Chips came running up the beach, obviously excited. - -"Hey, fellows!" he shouted. "Come quick!" - -The Cubs uncurled themselves from comfortable nooks, and hastened to see -what was wrong. - -"What's up, Chips?" Brad demanded. - -"I want to show you something," the boy said impressively. "Gosh, it -scared me half out of my wits!" - -"What did you find?" Dan demanded. - -"Just follow me." - -At a dog-trot, Chips led the Cubs down the beach to a clump of willows. -There he pointed dramatically to an object lying in a slight depression. - -"A skeleton!" Midge exclaimed, recoiling at the gruesome sight. - -"Chips, how did you happen to find it here?" asked Mack with a shudder. - -"Oh, I was just walking along the beach," the boy answered vaguely. -"There it was in the sand." - -Brad bent down to examine the bones and the grinning skull. - -"Don't touch the thing," Fred said, pulling back. "I'll call my father." - -"Wait a minute," Brad stopped him. "Chips, you say you just happened -along here and found this skeleton?" - -"It was exactly where you see it now." - -"Sure it was! After _you_ put it there!" - -"Why, such an accusation," Chips protested, but his grin gave him away. -"Okay, Wise Guy!" - -"I'm wise enough to know varnish when I see it! These bones all have been -treated. So 'fess up, Chips. Where did you get the skeleton?" - -"From the school laboratory," the boy admitted with a laugh. "Professor -Johnson let me borrow it to play a joke on the Cubs. It would have worked -too, if you hadn't been so smart." - -"The joke doesn't seem funny to me," Brad replied severely. "It would -have given us all a bad feeling to think anyone had died on the island. -We want this camping trip to be a pleasant experience." - -"Guess I made a mistake," Chips muttered, gathering up the skeleton. "It -seemed like a good idea when I first thought of it." - -Disheartened by the failure of his joke, he carefully replaced the bones -in a carrying box which he had hidden in the willows. - -"Don't take it so hard," Brad said, clapping him on the shoulder. "I know -you went to a lot of bother to pull off that joke." - -"The Cubs would have fallen for it too." - -"Sure, they would have, Chips. But it would have stirred them up. You -know as well as I do that if things go wrong while we're here, the Scouts -may decide not to buy the island site for their camp." - -"You're right, Brad," Chips admitted. "I'm sorry. I won't pull any more -stunts while we're here." - -Back in camp once more, several of the Cubs elected to try their luck -fishing. Dan, Chips and Brad, who were to help Mr. Holloway with the -cooking that night, remained behind to check over supplies. - -"The boys may bring in a few fish," the Den Dad remarked. "If so, we -should have a good meal tonight. But just in case--we'll be prepared to -fall back on ham and eggs." - -Dan wandered off to gather wood for the fire. Upon his return with a -large armful of dry pieces, he noticed that the water pail was empty -again. - -"There must be a herd of thirsty camels around here," he complained. "I -filled that bucket not twenty minutes ago!" - -"I'll do it this time," Chips offered, eager to make amends for the -skeleton. "You've done your share of work already." - -Seizing the bucket, the boy disappeared in the direction of the spring. - -Brad, Dan and Mr. Holloway busied themselves with preparations for the -evening meal, setting out supplies that would be needed. - -"How about another batch of biscuits?" the Den Dad proposed. "The Cubs -went for them in a big way this noon." - -"Fine!" approved Dan. "And baked potatoes will be easy to fix. We can -wrap them in wet clay and roast them on the coals." - -"Know where we can get any clay?" Mr. Holloway asked, searching through -the supplies for a package of flour. "It's mostly sand around here." - -"There's some back by the spring. I noticed it when I was filling the -water bucket awhile ago." - -"Suppose you see if you can dig up some, Dan. Take an old tin can." - -The spring was situated well back from the camp site in a natural shelter -of willows, ferns and vines. - -Dan had covered less than half the distance when Chips suddenly plunged -into view. The water pail left behind, he obviously was excited as he ran -toward the other boy. - -"Dan!" he exclaimed breathlessly. "I--I saw someone at the spring!" - -Dan scarcely knew whether to laugh or take Chips seriously. - -"What's so strange about that?" he demanded. "Was it one of the Den -Dads?" - -"Of course not!" Chips retorted, exasperated. "What do you think I am, -anyhow? A scared cat? I saw this man peering at me as I reached down to -dip water from the pool at the spring." - -"Sure you aren't pulling another skeleton trick?" - -"Heck, no! I swear it! Dan, I really saw this man--an ugly looking -fellow. It gave me a bad start. I dropped the water bucket and ran." - -"It may have been Jabowski. I've been told he stays on the island while -Mr. Manheim is away." - -"This man had dark bushy hair and hadn't shaved in three or four days." - -"You're sure he didn't have horns sprouting from his forehead?" - -"Wise guy! You think I'm making it up!" Chips said indignantly. "It gave -me a bad feeling, I tell you. I wish you could have seen the way he -looked at me. It froze my blood." - -"Where was this monster?" - -"Lurking back behind the bushes. As I started to fill the pail, I glanced -up. He was staring at me with hatred in his eyes. Then he ducked back out -of sight. I dropped the water bucket and ran." - -Dan was only half convinced that Chips was not trying to play another -joke. However, he noticed that the boy was breathing hard and actually -looked a trifle pale. - -"You probably saw Mr. Jabowski," he said with a shrug. - -"Like fun I did! I've seen Jabowski at the Webster City Yacht Club. It -was someone else." - -"A fisherman maybe who came to the island by boat." - -"We haven't seen any boats around all day," Chips contended. - -"I'll go back there with you," Dan offered. "Come on." - -"You wouldn't be so brave if you'd seen that leering face," Chips said, -following unwillingly. - -The two boys approached the spring warily. All was tranquil. A gentle -breeze stirred the dense growth of bushes which hemmed in the spring and -pool. Otherwise there was no movement. - -"No one here," Dan observed. "Sure you didn't imagine it, Chips?" - -"I certainly did not." - -"Well, no one is here now, at any rate. I'll fill the water bucket while -you look around to see if you can find any clay. We need it to wrap baked -potatoes in." - -Dan moved on to the spring. He stooped to drink deeply of the cool water -and then reached down to pick up the tin bucket which Chips had -abandoned. - -In the still water of the circular pool he could see his own reflection. -And then he saw something more! - -Merging with the dark of the bushes was a face, the evil countenance that -Chips had described so vividly. As he watched, fascinated, a hand slowly -was raised. - -"Look out, Dan!" called Chips. - -Dan ducked. As he flattened himself, a stone was hurled by the man who -crouched in the bushes. Sailing over his head, it struck the pool with a -hard splash. - - - - - CHAPTER 10 - The Man at the Spring - - -A commotion in the bushes informed Dan and Chips that the man who had -thrown the stone now was retreating. - -"You see!" Chips cried excitedly, joining his friend at the pool's edge. -"I told you the truth, didn't I?" - -"You sure did," Dan muttered, scrambling to his feet. "If I hadn't -ducked, that stone would have clipped me on the back of the head. Come -on, let's nail him!" - -Angry to think that the intruder had dared to risk injuring them by -deliberately hurling a stone, the Cubs started after him. - -Already the man was far away, moving with cat-like tread through the -dense growth of vines and underbrush. Apparently familiar with the -terrain, he slipped between the trees like a shadow. - -"No use trying to follow," Dan decided after they had gone only a few -yards. "We've already missed our chance to see who he was." - -"And if we trail him a long distance from camp, he might try some of his -tricks," Chips added in an undertone. "Dan, that man's face scared me. He -looked downright ugly." - -"He did," Dan agreed. "I only caught one glimpse of his face, but that -was enough." - -"Ever see him before?" - -"N-o-o," Dan replied slowly. "For just a minute I thought--" - -The boy was on the verge of saying that the man had resembled "Frisk," -the associate of Paper Bag Eddie. However, his identification had been -most uncertain. - -"You thought what, Dan?" - -"Oh, nothing. I didn't really see the man's face plainly. Wonder why he'd -try to harm us?" - -"Let's report to Mr. Hatfield." - -To this suggestion, Dan promptly agreed. Picking their way back to the -pool, the boys made short work of filling the water pail and gathering -clay. - -Back in camp once more, they took Mr. Holloway and the Cub leader aside -to relate what had happened. - -"The man actually hurled a stone?" Mr. Hatfield questioned, his face -sober. - -"He certainly did," Dan confirmed. "It missed my head by inches." - -Very much disturbed, Mr. Hatfield and Midge's father warned the two boys -to make no mention of the incident to the other Cubs. - -"I'll take Mr. Suell and explore the island," the Cub leader decided. -"Mr. Holloway will remain in camp with the boys. Without letting them -know that anything is amiss, keep them there." - -"It soon will be supper time," Mr. Holloway agreed. "I'll find enough -work to occupy their time." - -Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Suell set off at once to search for the stranger who -had accosted the boys at the spring. - -Meanwhile, Chips and Dan helped with supper preparations, trying not to -reveal their inner excitement to the other Cubs. As time wore on and -neither the Cub leader nor Mr. Suell returned, it became increasingly -difficult to contain their secret. - -The boys were nearly through supper when the two finally appeared in -camp. Slipping almost unnoticed into the group around the fire, they -dished up their own suppers. - -"Learn anything?" Dan asked the Cub leader in a whisper. - -"Tell you later." Mr. Hatfield's glance warned the boy to say no more at -the moment. - -In silence, but with no show of uneasiness, the Cub leader ate his -supper. While the other boys were clearing away the dishes, he took Dan, -Brad and Chips aside to relate what he and Mr. Suell had noted in their -explorations. - -"Did you find that fellow we saw by the spring?" Chips questioned before -Mr. Hatfield could speak. - -"No, Chips. We tramped the island from one end to the other. Not a sign -of him." - -"No signs?" Dan echoed. - -"My statement wasn't quite accurate," Mr. Hatfield corrected. "We found -signs in the way of footprints, a well-beaten trail, and broken bushes. -But we failed to catch up with the man himself." - -"Where did the trail lead?" inquired Chips. - -"We picked it up by the spring and followed it the entire length of the -island through the woodland and marsh. It emerged not far from the old -hotel." - -"Maybe the fellow hid in there," Dan suggested. - -"That's what Mr. Suell thought. We looked the place over, but couldn't -get in. All the doors were locked and the blinds drawn. If Mr. Jabowski -looks after the place for Mr. Manheim, he doesn't hurt himself working at -the job." - -Having told the boys everything he and Mr. Suell had learned, the Cub -leader again warned them to say nothing of the affair to the other boys. - -"Frankly, I can't figure out why anyone would hurl a stone without -provocation," he said. "I'm afraid someone may be annoyed because the -Cubs have camped here." - -"But we had a perfect right to do it," Dan protested. - -"Of course. Mr. Manheim granted permission. But things may be going on -here of which he has no knowledge." - -"For instance?" interposed Brad. - -"I can't say, because I don't know. It's just a feeling I have. Mr. Suell -and I will take turns guarding the camp tonight." - -"Then you think the Cubs may be in danger here?" Brad asked, startled. - -"No, Brad, if I thought so, we'd break camp and pull out tonight. We'll -set up a watch as a precaution. First thing in the morning, I'll go to -the mainland to have a talk with Mr. Manheim." - -After the camp work was out of the way, the Den Dads built a huge fire on -the beach. Mr. Suell then gave the boys a brief talk on Cubbing in other -countries of the world, telling them that the organization extended to 50 -lands. - -"And are the ideals and aims the same everywhere?" Brad questioned, -tossing another stick of wood into the flames. - -"Practically so, Brad. In most countries, the Kipling Jungle stories have -been made the basis of Cubbing. Akela is the name of the Cub leader in -nearly all nations. The two-fingered sign of the Wolf is the Cub sign -around the world." - -Dan, who lounged on the sand beside Brad, had listened with keen -interest. But now his attention wandered. - -Beyond the rim of flickering light, he thought he saw movement. Was that -shadowy form a trick of wind and tree boughs? Or might someone be spying -upon the camp? - -"Wake up, Dan!" Brad nudged him hard in the ribs. "Mr. Hatfield just -asked you to lead in the singing of 'Cheer, Cheer, the Den's All Here.' -Are you asleep?" - -Dan tore his eyes from the area of darkness. After all, he told himself, -he probably had fancied the shadow. Imagination played strange tricks -upon a fellow. - -"Sorry," he apologized. "I didn't hear. Guess I was half asleep." - -He launched into the song which was sung to the tune of "Hail, hail, the -gang's all here." The Cubs joined in, singing lustily. - -At its conclusion, the boys all repeated the Law of the Pack, and the -council fire came to an end. - -As the Den fathers were tramping out the last of the coals, Dan walked -over to the clump of bushes which had been directly in his line of -vision. He was relieved to find no one hiding there. - -But on the ground beneath a blackberry bush was a sheet of paper torn -from a cheap writing tablet. Unable to read it in the darkness, Dan took -it to Mr. Hatfield. - -The beam of his flashlight picked out the scrawled words: "GET OFF THIS -ISLAND. STAY AWAY!" - -"A warning, eh?" Mr. Hatfield commented. "This little affair has gone -quite far enough!" - -"Whoever left the note must have done it only a few minutes ago," Dan -said. "I thought I saw someone in the bushes just as you asked me to lead -that song." - -"The coward!" Mr. Hatfield muttered, folding the warning and placing it -in his pocket. "Afraid to show his face. Instead he throws rocks and -sneaks up in the darkness." - -More annoyed than afraid, the Cub leader made a thorough inspection of -the bush where the unknown intruder had hidden only a few minutes before. -A few large footprints had been imbedded in the moist turf. But the one -who had left the note, had fled. - -"No use trying to track him down in the dark," Mr. Hatfield said in -disgust. "Tomorrow I'll take this up with Mr. Manheim." - -With another reminder that no mention was to be made of the matter to the -other Cubs, the leader sent Dan off to bed. - -However, the boy observed that neither Mr. Hatfield nor Mr. Suell turned -in. Instead, the two men posted themselves near the entrance to the -tents. Throughout the night, they kept a small fire burning. - -Dan was awakened by the excited shouts of the other Cubs who were donning -trunks for a pre-breakfast swim. - -At the beach he raced Brad to the raft where they rested for a moment. - -"Anything happen last night?" Dan asked, eager for a report. - -"Not that I heard of. Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Suell sat up until dawn. No -one came near the camp." - -"That's good," Dan said in relief. "If things start popping, our camping -trip will be called off. I like it here." - -"So do I, Dan. I hope the Scouts buy this site, because if they do, the -Cubs will get to come here often. But I know Mr. Hatfield is worried. The -way matters are going, he isn't likely to recommend the place as a -permanent camp." - -"I'm thinking the same," Dan agreed. "Oh, well, maybe Mr. Manheim will -take a hand in finding out who's hiding on the island. After all, it's -his property." - -A call to breakfast sent the two boys racing full-blast for shore. By the -time they had scrambled into their uniforms, an appetizing meal of orange -juice, bacon and eggs awaited them. - -The Cubs ate their fill and then listened as Mr. Hatfield outlined plans -for the morning. - -"I'll take Dan, Brad and Chips with me to Webster City to pick up a few -supplies," the Cub leader said. "Also to attend to an important errand. -Mr. Suell has planned a hike for those who remain behind." - -"I'd rather go to Webster City," said Mack, who suspected that he was -being excluded from an important mission. - -"Me too," chimed in Midge. "Can't we all go?" - -"Not this time," Mr. Hatfield turned them down. "We'll make a full report -when we get back." - -At nine o'clock, the three Cubs and their leader were picked up by -launch, according to an arrangement made with a member of the yacht club. -Once on shore, they purchased a few small items. Thereafter, they -presented themselves at Mr. Manheim's office and were elated to learn -that the island owner was in. - -"He'll see you at once," a secretary told them. "First door to your -left." - -The room which Mr. Hatfield and the Cubs entered through a frosted door -was padded with rich, soft carpet. - -A heavy-set man with steel-blue eyes sat in a swivel chair behind a desk -at the window. Recognizing the Cub leader, he smiled in welcome. - -"Hello, Sam! What brings you here so bright and early? Another -proposition to buy that camp site on Skeleton Island?" - -"Not exactly, Mr. Manheim. We're not so sure it's a safe place." - -"Skeleton Island not safe?" Mr. Manheim demanded. "What gave you that -idea? Sit down and tell me all about it." He waved everyone into chairs. - -Mr. Hatfield introduced the three Cubs and then went directly to the -point. He related how a stone had been tossed at Dan and showed Mr. -Manheim the warning note. - -"Why, someone is playing a joke on you," the island owner said after -reading the message. "Don't tell me you take this seriously?" - -"We did and do, Mr. Manheim." - -"I see nothing to cause alarm. Probably some boys from a rival troop are -having a little fun at your expense." - -"The stone was hurled by a man," Dan interposed. "I saw his face quite -plainly." - -"It's possible that tramps have taken up quarters in the underbrush," Mr. -Manheim said reluctantly. "Jabowski's orders are to keep hoodlums away -from the island. I'll jack him up a bit if he's been remiss in his duty." - -"Jabowski is your caretaker at Skeleton Island?" Mr. Hatfield inquired. - -"Yes, he lives there with his nephew." - -"We saw neither of them. In fact, the old hotel building seemed to be -locked up." - -"Jabowski has orders not to leave the island without notifying me," Mr. -Manheim said, frowning. "He must be there." - -To Mr. Hatfield and the Cubs it became obvious that the information they -had brought was displeasing to the island owner. Apparently to end the -interview, he arose and said: - -"Now don't worry about a thing. I'll get in touch with Jabowski and have -him ascertain that the island is free of trespassers." - -"Thank you, Mr. Manheim. We wouldn't have troubled you only--" - -"No trouble at all," Mr. Manheim interrupted the Cub leader. "I always -like to help out the Cubs or Scouts. Fact is, I've been thinking for -several weeks I'd like to give 'em a bang-up time--a regular jamboree." - -"Jamboree?" Mr. Hatfield repeated, rather mystified. - -The island owner ignored the Cub leader, turning to Brad, Dan and Chips. - -"How would you boys like a beach barbecue? A really big affair?" - -"Swell!" Chips agreed. - -"We'll invite all the Cubs in Webster City. Make it a bang-up affair. -Tonight, shall we say?" - -"You're moving a bit fast for me," said Mr. Hatfield. "How can you plan -such an affair on short notice?" - -"Leave that to me," said Mr. Manheim, pressing the desk buzzer. "We'll -call in a caterer, a friend of mine who will take care of every detail. -Your job, Mr. Hatfield, will be to have the Cubs there on the island." - -"I don't doubt the boys will jump at the chance for a barbecue even on -short notice," Mr. Hatfield replied. "But what about transportation?" - -"My motorboat will be available. And Jabowski can take the overflow on a -motor raft he has at the island." - -"Well--" Mr. Hatfield gazed dubiously at the Cubs. "I hardly know what to -say. It's such short notice--" - -"The trouble with you, Sam, is that you're not in the habit of making -quick decisions," the other said jovially. "You have your boys at the -dock at seven o'clock. I'll take care of everything else." - -"All right," Mr. Hatfield agreed. "I'll get in touch with the Cub leader -of Den 1. I only hope you aren't biting off more than you can chew." - -"Never have yet," the island owner said, escorting the party to the door. -"See you tonight. We'll have a jamboree that will give those Cubs the -thrill of their young lives!" - -"But what about that man we saw at the spring?" Dan half-protested. "If -he should be hanging around--" - -"Leave that to Jabowski," Mr. Manheim dismissed the subject. "Don't give -the matter another thought." - -The island owner bowed the Cubs out. When the door had closed firmly -behind them, they eyed each other a trifle askance. - -"Well, that was fast work if you ask me," Brad said, sucking in his -breath. "Mr. Manheim takes care of everything!" - -"In typical Manheim style," added the Cub leader unhappily. -"Unfortunately, I've learned from past experience that his plans don't -always pan out right." - -"Then you're afraid the barbecue won't come off tonight?" Chips asked as -the four started down the hallway. - -"Oh, it will be held after a fashion," Mr. Hatfield replied. "But Mr. -Manheim is apt to leave too many details unplanned. Another thing--" - -"That man at the spring?" Dan supplied as the Cub leader hesitated. - -"Yes, I'm not entirely satisfied that Jabowski will attend to him. For -that matter, where is Jabowski?" - -"No one has seen him since we landed on the island," Brad replied. - -"It all adds up to an uncertain picture," Mr. Hatfield said soberly. -"Everything may go well tonight. I hope so. But between you and me and -the gate-post, I'm wondering if Mr. Manheim's barbecue may not be a -mistake!" - - - - - CHAPTER 11 - A Barbecue for the Cubs - - -Despite Mr. Hatfield's misgivings, the jamboree came off that night -according to schedule. - -At the appointed hour, the island owner's motorboat and the power raft -were at the Webster City Yacht Club docks to pick up members of Den 1. - -Mr. Manheim personally took command of the speedboat, while his man -Jabowski carried the overflow of boys across the river on the open raft. - -In an ugly mood, the caretaker complained that the barbecue was "a lot of -stupid nonsense." - -Actually, he smarted from a lecture delivered by his employer. For three -hours that afternoon the island owner had tried to find Jabowski. Finally -tracing him to a waterfront tavern, he had warned the man that unless he -paid attention to his duties, he would be discharged. - -Jabowski blamed the Cubs for the reprimand, and so did his utmost to make -them feel uncomfortable. - -"Sit still!" he ordered Ross Langdon, who shifted his weight as the raft -chugged across the river. "You want to upset us?" - -"Aw, I hardly moved," Ross growled. "Anyway, if this raft isn't safe, you -shouldn't be taking kids across the river in it." - -"The raft's safe enough, if you behave yourselves." - -"We are behaving," Ross retorted. "For crying out loud, what's eating you -anyhow? You've done nothing but crab since we left the dock." - -"You'd crab too if your boss gave orders to have a barbecue on eight -hours notice! But that's Manheim for you. Always doing things in the -grand manner--only someone else has to do the work!" - -Not much impressed by the caretaker's complaints, the Cubs eagerly turned -their faces toward Skeleton Island. Huge fires burned on the beach and -they could hear the music of an eight-piece band. - -"Say, this is going to be a shing-ding!" Ross said, pleased. "We should -have a swell time tonight. Good grub, Mr. Jabowski?" - -"Baked clams and lobster and roasted ox! That ought to be enough to -satisfy you kids and your parents." - -"Say! Mr. Manheim's doing all right by us," Ross said, impressed. "We'll -have a swell time tonight." - -Although the caretaker could have landed the raft at the beach, he -proceeded up-island to a dock which extended out into much deeper water. - -"Hey, what's the idea, bringing us clear up here?" Ross protested, eager -to join the other boys on the island. - -"Give your gums a rest, will you?" Jabowski demanded rudely. "I'm -handling this raft." - -At last after taking his time in fastening the craft to a dock post, he -allowed the boys to disembark. Quickly they joined the Cubs from Den 2. - -Nearly thirty Cubs and their parents already had arrived at the island. -Mr. Manheim went here and there, shaking hands with the grownups and -joking with the boys. The music was excellent, the food plentiful. Yet -despite the efforts of everyone to have a good time, the party soon began -to go a trifle flat. - -At that point Mr. Hatfield and Midge's father took a hand, introducing -various games. The fun revived. However, everyone appeared relieved when -the gathering began to break up at nine-thirty. - -Mr. Manheim took two boatloads of Cubs and their parents to shore and -returned for the third. Meanwhile, Jabowski had made one trip in the much -slower raft. - -"One more trip will wind it up," the island owner estimated, counting the -Cubs who were to remain overnight at their camp. "I can take five, and -the others all can get on the raft." - -"Seven on the raft?" Mr. Hatfield interposed in disapproval. "Isn't that -loading it rather heavily?" - -"Not at all," Mr. Manheim returned, annoyed to have his judgment -questioned. "The raft was built to carry a much heavier load." - -"It seems sturdy enough, but there are no rails--" - -"Jabowski will keep his eye on the boys." - -Dismissing the matter, the island owner filled his speedboat to capacity -and pulled away. Following orders, Jabowski herded the remaining Cubs -aboard the raft. - -When all were seated who were to leave the island, not a spare inch of -space remained. - -Mr. Hatfield, who had been watching the loading with troubled gaze, -stepped to the edge of the dock to speak to Jabowski. - -"Why not make another trip?" he suggested. "The raft is overloaded." - -"Mr. Manheim's orders were to take 'em all in one load," Jabowski said -stubbornly. "I do as he tells me." - -He started the motor and the raft slowly pulled away. - -"Hey, wait!" Ross Langdon shouted. "I forgot my cap!" - -Before anyone could stop him, he leaped to his feet. The over-weighted -raft tilted sharply to the left. - -"Sit down!" Jabowski yelled. - -The warning came much too late. Other Cubs, their feet under water, were -scrambling frantically for safety. - -As the raft became even more off-balance, it tilted to a sharper angle, -sliding all the Cubs except one into the river. Jabowski, clinging to the -motor box, managed to hold on. - -The water into which the Cubs had fallen was well over their heads. -Weighted down by shoes and clothing, they churned the surface in a -frantic effort to keep up. - -Ross, an expert swimmer, seized one of the Cubs and towed him ashore. - -Mr. Hatfield and Midge's father both plunged in to assist others to -safety. - -Two of the Cubs grasped the side of the raft and were pulled aboard by -the frightened Jabowski. - -Meanwhile, on shore, Dan had kicked off his shoes, ready to help. - -"Where's Tim Tyler?" he shouted. - -Tim was the youngest and smallest member of Den 1. Also, as all the boys -knew, he was the only Cub who had never learned to swim a stroke. - -In the darkness there now was no glimpse of the boy. He was neither on -the raft nor anywhere visible in the water. - -"He was aboard when the raft upset," Dan cried. "I saw him just before it -went over. Maybe he's pinned underneath!" - -Without waiting for others to act, the boy made a clean dive from the end -of the dock. With the speed of a bullet he shot beneath the raft. - -To his confusion, it was not flat underneath as he had expected. Instead, -the craft was laced with four large metal tanks. - -At the moment, Dan had no time to think of their significance or to -wonder why they were there. Holding his breath, he groped about in the -dark waters of the cool river. - -He felt rather than saw the body which was wedged between the tanks in -the very centermost portion of the raft. - -Seizing Tim by an arm, Dan attempted to swim out with him. His head and -shoulders came hard against the metal tanks and he could make no -progress. - -Dan's breath now was growing short and he knew he must work fast. -Treading water, he used both arms to try to free the imprisoned Cub. - -At first he could not move the boy an inch. Then Dan's hand encountered a -jagged nail, and he realized that Tim's clothing had speared on it. - -With a hard jerk, he ripped the garment free. Then, with the limp form of -the boy on his left hip, he swam and pulled them both toward the outer -edge of the raft. - -His heart began to pound and his lungs to feel as if they would explode. -Could he keep going? He _had_ to, Dan told himself. To abandon Tim never -entered his thoughts. Only a stroke or two more-- - -When it seemed to Dan that he had reached the very end, a strong hand -grasped his clothing. Both he and Tim, to whom he clung desperately, were -hauled up onto the raft. - -"Good work, Dan!" Mr. Hatfield's praise rang in his ears. "You saved -Tim." - -All the Cubs were taken ashore to dry out by the fire. Mr. Holloway and -the Cub leader stretched Tim out on the dock, wrapping him in blankets. -It was unnecessary to apply artificial respiration, for he soon opened -his eyes and began to breathe normally. - -"We'll look after Tim," Mr. Hatfield advised Dan as the shivering boy -hovered near. "Hike to the tent and change your clothes." - -"Mr. Hatfield, there's something I want to tell you--" - -"Later, Dan." - -Brad threw a blanket over the boy's shoulders and led him away. - -"The Den is proud of you, Dan," he declared as he waited while the other -changed into dry clothing. "You earned yourself a medal tonight." - -"I didn't do anything," Dan replied. "Or rather, anyone would have done -the same." - -"You thought and acted in a split-second. That was what counted, Dan. If -Mr. Manheim hadn't been so bull-headed about taking too many Cubs on the -raft, the accident wouldn't have occurred." - -"It was badly balanced from the start, Brad. I can't understand those -tanks--" - -"What tanks, Dan?" - -"Why there were four of them on the underside of the raft." - -"Tanks? You're sure?" - -"I certainly am. They were long and flat and made of metal. Tim was -wedged between them, his trousers snagged on a nail." - -"Maybe they were gasoline tanks." - -"They looked like it. But why would the raft need so many? These tanks -would hold fifteen or twenty gallons each." - -"Another thing, the gas tank that feeds the motor is on the top side of -the raft," Brad said thoughtfully. "It does seem queer. You told Mr. -Hatfield?" - -"I aim to. He was too busy working on Tim." - -Dan finished dressing and the two boys sought the warmth of the fire. -Tim, wrapped in blankets, was brought there. - -The other drenched Cubs were lent clothing by the more fortunate boys of -Den 2. - -Presently Mr. Manheim returned from across the river. Informed by -Jabowski as to what had occurred, he was profuse in his apologies for the -mishap. - -"I can't understand how it happened," he said to Mr. Hatfield. "Why, -we've transported lumber and very heavy objects on that raft. We never -had an accident before." - -"There's always a first time," the Cub leader replied. "Fortunately, no -serious harm has been done. But it was a miracle the raft upset at the -dock and not in mid-stream." - -After Mr. Manheim had taken the Den 1 Cubs ashore in the motorboat, the -Skeleton Island camp settled down for the night. - -Not until then did Dan have opportunity to tell Mr. Hatfield of seeing -the gasoline tanks beneath the raft. - -"I think that's what made it upset," he declared. "When the load shifted, -all the fuel ran to the same side." - -"Fuel tanks on the underside of a raft," Sam Hatfield mused. "That seems -odd. Why would a raft need such large carrying capacity?" - -"Maybe to supply another boat." - -"But Mr. Manheim's motorcraft has a large tank. It doesn't make sense to -me." - -"I figure Jabowski's been supplying that motorboat Brad and I saw signal -from across the river," Dan said. - -"He may be selling Mr. Manheim's gasoline and picking up a little extra -money for himself, Dan. I wouldn't put it past him. That, I suppose, -would explain those tanks underneath the raft." - -"I'm wondering too if Jabowski may not be mixed up with the river -pirates." - -Mr. Hatfield gazed at the boy in amazement. - -"Hold on, Dan!" he exclaimed. "You're going too fast for me." - -"No one likes Jabowski," Dan argued. "He has no friends. I know because -I've inquired." - -"The man isn't very likeable, I'll grant, but to accuse him of being a -crook is something I wouldn't venture to do." - -"I'm not accusing him, Mr. Hatfield. I'm only wondering. You recall, on -the night the furs were stolen, a motorboat almost like Mr. Manheim's -tore into Mr. Holloway's sailboat." - -"I remember, Dan." - -"Since then, police have watched the waterfront for that boat. Especially -gasoline outlets." - -"I've read so in the papers, Dan." - -"According to the stories, police have been puzzled as to where the boat -owners put in for fuel." - -"I see you're well informed on the subject, Dan," Mr. Hatfield said, -smiling. - -"I've read every word, because I'm interested. Maybe those river thieves -have moved out of here, but I have a hunch they're just biding their time -before pulling another job." - -"Be that as it may, Dan, the Cubs can't afford to mix themselves in any -such business. As I said before, if I thought Skeleton Island had become -a hideout for the river thieves, I'd never recommend that this camp site -be bought." - -"But if we don't investigate, how can you know if the camp's really -safe?" Dan argued. - -"So that's where this conversation has been pointing," Mr. Hatfield -chuckled. "You're proposing that the Cubs do a little sleuthing before we -leave here?" - -"Couldn't we?" - -"What could we learn, Dan?" - -"I'd like to find out more about Jabowski and his habits. I have an idea, -Mr. Hatfield, if you'd hear of it." - -"What is this idea, Dan?" - -"You know that game we sometimes play of 'Follow the Trail.' One Cub goes -ahead and lays out a trail which the others tried to follow." - -Mr. Hatfield nodded. "It's excellent training in observation for the -Cubs." - -"Well, I thought, if you're willing, we might lay the trail across the -island and around Jabowski's place. The Cubs could be instructed to -notice anything unusual and report." - -"Spy out the old hotel, you mean?" - -"That's right. Maybe it wouldn't net anything. Then again, we might pick -up considerable information about Jabowski." - -Mr. Hatfield thought the matter over for a moment. - -"We'll be here only one day longer," he said. "If we tried out your idea, -it would have to be early in the morning." - -"Then we may do it?" - -"I'll think it over," Mr. Hatfield replied in a tone which was a -half-promise. "Get to sleep now, Dan. We'll talk further of this -tomorrow." - - - - - CHAPTER 12 - Following the Trail - - -Excitement swept the camp the next morning when Mr. Hatfield told the -Cubs they were to play the trail game Dan had proposed. - -Taking the boys partially into his confidence, the Cub leader explained -that he wished to obtain as much information as possible about Jabowski -or any other occupants of the island. - -"What sort of information?" Mack asked, puzzled. - -"It's a request that can't be explained," Mr. Hatfield replied. "Just -keep your eyes open. If you notice anything unusual report it after the -hunt is over. Dan will lay the trail." - -"I'll need twenty minutes start of the gang," Dan announced, already -making his plans. - -Mr. Hatfield told the Cubs that he might be absent from camp upon their -return. He had arranged for a yacht club boat to pick him up, as he -wished to visit Tim Tyler to make certain the boy had suffered no ill -effects from his previous night's ducking. - -"I shan't be gone long," he told the Cubs. "During my absence, Brad will -be in charge." - -"And that means you all must do just as I say," Brad instructed the -younger boys. "I'll lead the clue hunt, and I want you to stick close to -me. No stragglers!" - -The Cubs allowed Dan a full twenty minutes start and then set out in -pursuit. - -Midge found the first clue, a bit of bush broken off and weighted down -with stones. - -Farther on, Red spied a forked stick which pointed the direction. The -trail avoided the marsh, skirting the shore much of the way. Finally it -wound through a brushy hollow and came out within view of the old hotel -where Jabowski lived. - -"What's the idea of all this?" Red demanded, sinking down on a rock to -rest. "Dan brought us to this old hotel on purpose, didn't he?" - -"That's right," Brad agreed. "And here's a note from him." His keen eyes -had sighted a slip of paper speared on a nearby tree branch. - -Obtaining it, he read aloud: "Watch the windows of the hotel." - -"The windows?" Red repeated. "What does he mean by that?" - -"Don't know," Brad shrugged. "Just keep your eyes peeled for anything -unusual." - -"Such as what?" Midge demanded. - -"I can't tell you that. I don't know myself. If you see Jabowski or -anyone around, keep tab on 'em. Pick up any information you can, no -matter how trivial it may seem." - -"But why are we doing this?" Mack complained. "I don't get it." - -"Mr. Hatfield will explain later." - -"You and Dan seem to be on the inside," Chips grumbled. - -"If you don't want to play the game, you can trot back to camp. And that -goes for all of you!" - -"Oh, don't get tough," Chips retorted. "We're willing to spy out the -enemy camp, but it would be more to the point if you'd do a little -explaining." - -"All in good time, all in good time," Brad rejoined, restored to good -humor. - -Following the trail Dan had marked, the Cubs slowly circled the hotel -building. - -"I don't believe Jabowski lives there," Midge declared. "The place is -deserted." - -"No, it isn't," corrected Red. "I see smoke coming from the chimney at -the rear." - -Brad praised the boy for his observation and urged the others to be on -the lookout for other signs. - -A little farther on, the Den Chief paused to study the grimy windows of -the ancient building. - -"Jabowski doesn't hurt himself keeping the place clean or tidy," he -remarked. "Look at those windows! And the weeds in the yard!" - -"And the shutters," contributed Fred. "They're banging around at every -angle." - -Brad suddenly froze into alert attention. His gaze had focused hard upon -one of the upstairs hotel windows. The glare of the sun was upon it, and -for a moment the others could not see what had attracted his interest. - -"Fellows, there's someone standing at the window!" he exclaimed. "Not -Jabowski either!" - -"It looks like a boy," Chips declared, shifting his position so that the -reflected sunlight would not blind him. - -Huddled together, the Cubs all fastened their gaze upon the window. -Plainly they could see a youth standing there, his face pressed close -against the dirty pane. - -"_Jeepers!_" Chips whispered in stunned recognition. "_It's Jacques!_" - -Almost at the same instant, Brad and the other Cubs had made a similar -observation. The boy who stood at the window was the same one who had -vanished from the Cave only a few days earlier. - -As the boys watched, a hand appeared from nowhere to jerk Jacques back -from the window. They waited several minutes, but the boy did not -reappear. - -"You know what I think!" Midge cried, recovering from stunned surprise. -"Jacques is being held a prisoner in there!" - -"Either Jabowski or someone else saw him trying to signal us, and pulled -him back out of sight!" Fred added excitedly. "I say we ought to break in -and rescue him!" - -"Not so fast," Brad cautioned as the other Cubs were ready to back up the -proposal. "Our orders were to report back to camp. Remember?" - -"But this is an emergency," Chips argued. "If Jacques is being held a -prisoner, we ought to get him out!" - -"And maybe get ourselves into a peck of trouble. Nope! Dan must have seen -that boy too or he wouldn't have left the note. We're hiking back to -camp. It's up to Mr. Hatfield to decide what to do." - -Turning deaf ears upon all protests, Brad led the Cubs back the way they -had come. Suddenly, a figure loomed up ahead of the boys. It was Jabowski -who confronted them. From where he had come or how long he had been -secreted in the bushes, they could not guess. - -The caretaker's voice was hard and unfriendly as he demanded: - -"What d'you think you're doing here?" - -"Why, we're playing 'follow the trail'," Brad said as the other Cubs were -too abashed to reply. - -"You were spying on the house!" - -"Spying?" Brad asked innocently. "Why, what is there to see?" - -"Nothing. Not a thing," Jabowski retorted, made uncomfortable by the -manner in which the boy had turned the accusation. "I just don't like -kids swarming over the place. See?" - -"Mr. Manheim gave us permission to camp on the island." - -"But not to run wild over it. This here place is mine and I don't want -snoopers. Now get back to your own end of the island and stay there!" - -"Sure, sure," Brad said, signaling the Cubs to make no resistance. "We -were leaving anyhow." - -"I don't aim to be mean," Jabowski said, mollified by the boy's -willingness to obey. "But a guy has to have some privacy. That raft -upsetting last night set my nerves on edge. You the boy that dived under -it?" - -"No, that was Dan Carter." - -"Which one is he?" Jabowski's keen gaze swept the group. - -"Dan isn't here," Midge informed the caretaker. - -"Well, no matter," Jabowski said. "Git along now, and mind what I said. -You keep to your end of the island and there'll be no hard feelings. By -the way, when you leaving?" - -"For good you mean?" Brad asked. "Why, late this afternoon, I guess." - -"Then you won't be camping here another night." Unmistakable relief was -stamped on the caretaker's face. "Good-bye, boys." - -"Oh, you may see us again," Brad said with mischievous intent. "Oh, say! -Have you run into that tramp who annoyed us the first day we camped -here?" - -"Tramp? The one who threw the stone?" Jabowski's expression became -guarded. "No, I searched the island after Mr. Manheim complained to me. -No one around. If anyone scared you, he's gone now." - -"Let's hope so, at least," replied Brad evenly. "Well, so long, Mr. -Jabowski. Sorry to have bothered you." - -The Cubs tramped off, and because they knew the caretaker was watching, -did not look back until they were a long distance from the old hotel. - -Once out of sight and hearing, the boys discussed the important discovery -they had made. - -"There's no question that it was Jacques we saw at the window," Brad -declared. "But what's he doing here? And was it Jabowski who pulled him -away from the window, or someone else?" - -"He's a prisoner, for sure," Midge insisted. "We know someone spirited -him away from the Cave. He's probably been held here ever since." - -"Come on, let's find Mr. Hatfield," Brad urged, starting along the trail -again. - -At the camp a few minutes later, the Cubs were surprised to find the site -entirely deserted. Dan was nowhere around. Nor was Mr. Hatfield or -Midge's father to be found. - -Belatedly, Brad recalled that the Cub leader and Mr. Holloway had -expected to make a brief trip that morning to the mainland. - -"That's probably where they are," he remarked, his gaze anxiously -sweeping the river. "But where's Dan?" - -"Maybe he went along," Fred suggested. - -"Maybe," Brad agreed doubtfully. "But he couldn't have returned to camp -very long ago." - -While the other boys aired their bedding and attended to camp tasks, the -older boy wandered along the shore. - -On the west beach he noticed where a boat had been pulled up on the wet -sand. The area was splattered with footprints, both large and small. - -"A boat landed after the Cubs went trail hunting," Brad reconstructed the -scene. "Dan must have come down here to meet the folks, whoever they -were. Maybe he went away with them, or was taken away!" - -As far as Brad could see, the river was deserted of small craft. However, -the dense bushes lining both sides of the wide stream provided ample -protection for any boat which might seek to keep out of view. - -Recalling the motorcraft which apparently had been serviced by the island -raft, Brad became increasingly uneasy. - -"It isn't like Dan to go away without leaving word," he told himself. -"Something's happened to him!" - -Just then his roving gaze fastened upon a pile of three stones placed -conspicuously on the beach. Plainly they had been left there to attract -attention. - -Brad kicked aside the stones. Folded beneath the lowermost one was a note -from Dan. - -"Called to Police Station," it read. "No chance to see Mr. Hatfield. See -you soon--I hope." - -Brad read the message twice, trying to figure it out. - -"Now why would Dan be called to the police station?" he speculated. "It -must be something important to bring the cops here after him." - -Brad was certain that his chum had committed no crime. But why otherwise -would he be sought by police? - -"See you soon--I hope," he reread the final words of the note. "That -sounds as if he thinks he may run into trouble. I wonder if Jabowski or -someone who dislikes having the Cubs on Skeleton Island turned in a false -complaint?" - -Decidedly worried, the Den Chief pocketed the note and walked slowly back -toward camp. - -Without a motorboat, he knew he could do nothing until Mr. Hatfield and -Midge's father returned from the mainland. - -"A nice kettle of fish," he muttered. "Dan at the police station, and -Jacques apparently a prisoner in the old hotel. No telling what may -happen next! And me with all the responsibility!" - - - - - CHAPTER 13 - Identifying a Prisoner - - -After laying the trail for the other Cubs to follow, Dan had spent some -minutes watching the old hotel at the far end of the island. He too had -observed Jacques standing at the window. Greatly excited by the -discovery, he left a note for the Cubs and then hastened back to camp to -report. - -However, neither Mr. Hatfield nor Midge's father was there, having -crossed the river a few minutes earlier. - -Dan nervously paced the camp, wondering what he should do. Far across the -island, he could hear an occasional shout from the Cubs as they noisily -followed the trail he had marked. - -After awhile, the boy became aware of the approach of a high-powered -speedboat. Turning to look, he was astonished to see that a Webster City -police patrol boat was beaching on the island. - -As he went down to the water's edge, a sergeant and plainclothesman -stepped out of the boat. - -"Is this the Cub camp?" the sergeant inquired. - -"Yes, sir, it is," Dan replied. He wondered what had brought police to -the island at such an early hour, or for that matter, at any hour. - -"We're looking for a Mr. Hatfield." - -"He isn't here just now. But I expect him back in a half hour or so." - -"Mr. Holloway?" - -"They're together." - -"We came to take one of the boys back to the station with us," the -sergeant explained. "A kid by the name of Dan Carter. Is he around?" - -Dan drew in his breath, and answered uneasily: "I'm Dan Carter. Why do -you want me? What have I done now?" - -"Why, nothing--not a thing," the police officer reassured him. "Weren't -you one of the youngsters who saw the operator of a motorboat that struck -Mr. Holloway's sailboat?" - -"That's right. But how did you know?" - -"Oh, we check up," the sergeant replied with a friendly grin. "Remember -the blindman?" - -"I did tell him about the crash," Dan recalled. "He passed the -information on to you?" - -"Right. You saw the men in that boat?" - -"Yes, but not plainly. The boat was running without lights." - -"Think you could identify any of the men if you saw 'em again?" - -"One of them, I might." - -"Describe him." - -"Well, he was short and muscular--heavily built. His jaw was sort of -square and his face puffy. I couldn't see the color of his hair, but -would say he was on the dark side." - -"That's a pretty fair description, Dan," the sergeant praised. "You're -observing." - -"Actually, I think I saw him twice," Dan replied. "Once in the boat and -then again on shore talking to a little fellow with a paper bag. 'Paper -Bag Eddie', they called him." - -The police sergeant and plainclothesman exchanged a quick glance. - -"Kid, you're the one we need to help us," the latter said. "Now this is -the set-up. We've picked up a man we think may have been mixed up in the -fur robbery. Also, he may be the one that rammed Mr. Holloway's boat. We -want you to identify him." - -"I don't know if I can," Dan said doubtfully. "I'll be glad to try." - -Excited at the prospect before him, Dan scribbled a note for Mr. Hatfield -and the Cubs. This he placed under a pile of stones on the beach where he -was certain it would be seen. He then boarded the police boat and was -ferried across the river. - -At the police station, Dan was told to wait in an ante-room. He sat down, -thumbing through the pages of a magazine. Policemen went in and out, but -save for an occasional glance at the boy, no one paid any attention to -him. - -Dan began to wonder if he had been entirely forgotten. - -After awhile, he arose and wandered out into the first floor corridor. As -he stood there watching men and women pass through from James St. to -Whitehill Ave., he suddenly stiffened. - -Through the revolving doors came Paper Bag Eddie. The man was alone. His -hat had been pulled low over his eyes, and his coat collar was high, but -he carried the familiar paper sack. - -A policeman, recognizing the man, stopped him for a moment. - -"Hello, Eddie," he said, eyeing him guardedly. "What brings you here?" - -"The measles," Eddie retorted, his thin lips curling into a sneer. "You -got nothing on me, copper. It's a free corridor, ain't it?" - -"Just keep moving, Eddie." - -"I'm here to pay a traffic fine," the man replied. "Any law against it?" - -"Go ahead," the policeman said. "Just make it snappy and get out. We -don't want you loitering around here." - -Eddie eyed the police officer insolently, but made no reply. Passing Dan, -he entered a door which bore a sign: "Pay Traffic Fines Here." - -However, he did not remain three minutes inside the room. No sooner had -the policeman stepped into one of the court rooms, than Eddie emerged -into the corridor again. - -His fox-like eyes darted back and forth, noting that no other policemen -were anywhere in sight. - -This ascertained, he sidled over to Dan. - -"You're here to identify a man you're supposed to have seen in a -motorboat," his purring voice said. "Get this! You never saw the guy -before." - -Taken by surprise, Dan stared at Eddie and made no reply. - -"Have some popcorn?" the man invited. - -Dan shook his head, and made uncomfortable by those dark boring eyes, -moved a step back against the wall. - -Eddie had opened the bag. Now he thrust it directly under the boy's eyes. -Dan saw then that it contained not popcorn, but a 32-caliber revolver. - -"You never saw the guy before," Eddie repeated. "If you forget--you'll -hear from me. I got a way of taking care of my friends and them that -ain't." - -Two policemen had emerged from one of the offices. Dan turned to signal -to them. Before he could do so, Eddie wheeled and departed by way of the -revolving doors. - -"You're Dan Carter?" one of the policemen called, noticing the boy. -"They're waiting for you." - -"That man who was talking to me!" Dan exclaimed. "Did you notice him?" - -Neither of the policemen had seen Eddie. - -"He threatened me," Dan revealed. "Warned me not to identify someone in -the line-up. And he had a revolver." - -Now very much interested, the policemen went outside the building to look -up and down the street. Paper Bag Eddie was nowhere to be seen. - -"Probably hailed a taxi and made a quick getaway," one of the officers -said. "Listen, Dan. Don't pay any attention to what he told you. It was -all bluff. You go in there and identify your man if you can." - -"I intend to," Dan announced, his face grim. "He can't scare me." - -"Good!" the policeman approved. "Now follow me." - -Dan was led through a series of corridors and up an elevator to an inner -room. There he was introduced to Detective Jim Blackwell and Sergeant -Amos Davis. - -"Now in a moment, several men will walk across a lighted stage in front -of you," Sergeant Davis explained. "You'll be behind this screen, -protected from their view. Don't say anything, but look closely at each -man. If you recognize any of them, tell me later. Got it?" - -Dan nodded. His heart pounded with excitement. He had made up his mind to -identify the motorboat operator if he possibly could. - -But he couldn't forget about Eddie and the revolver in the paper bag. -Somehow he had a feeling that the threat had not been entirely bluff. - -The stage now was flooded with blinding light. One at a time, six men -walked into Dan's range of vision. - -The first three he had never seen before and resembled no one he had ever -known. Dan gave them scarcely a second glance. - -At sight of the fourth man in the line-up, he stiffened. Although the -fellow tried to look unconcerned, Dan could see that he was worried. He -knew him instantly as the sailor he had seen talking to Paper Bag Eddie. - -Also, he was reasonably certain that the man was the same one who had -operated the motorboat. - -"He's the one!" Dan whispered. - -"Sure?" - -"Almost positive." - -The men in the line-up were taken away and the stage darkened. Dan then -was led to an adjoining room where he was questioned as to his -identification and other information. - -Dan told the entire story, including his suspicions that Jabowski might -be supplying the river pirates with gasoline. - -He related also how Jacques had disappeared from the Cave under -mysterious circumstances, the theft of the coded message, and finally, of -seeing the boy again on the island. - -"It gave me a real shock to see him standing there at the window," he -ended the account. "I tried to signal him, but I don't think he saw me. -After awhile, he stepped back out of sight. I figure though that Jabowski -is holding him there against his will." - -"You've given us some good tips, kid," the police officer praised Dan. -"Maybe we'll drop around at the island and give it a thorough going -over." - -"A raid on the hotel?" - -"You might call it that." - -"Whatever you do, don't arrest any of the Cubs that are camped on the -island," Dan said anxiously. - -His remark amused the officer. "You figure we can't tell a Cub from a -crook?" he chuckled. - -"I didn't mean that, sir," Dan replied, flushing. - -"We'll look out for your friends," the officer reassured him. "Don't you -worry." - -Orders were given for squad members to contact Mr. Manheim, the island -owner, and then to proceed to the old hotel for a search of the premises. - -"We'll take you along with us, Dan," the officer told him. "You'll be -needed to point out this boy Jacques who is being held a prisoner, you -say." - -In the squad car, the boy was driven to Mr. Manheim's office. As his -accusations were repeated, the island owner bristled with anger. - -"Tommy rot!" he exploded. "My man Jabowski is to be trusted completely! -This boy must be out of his head! Such gratitude. And after all I've done -for the Cubs!" - -After storming about for awhile, Mr. Manheim agreed to accompany police -to the island. During the swift boat ride across the river, he refused to -speak to Dan. - -At the Cub camp, Mr. Hatfield and Midge's father both had returned. -Already they had received a report from Brad and the other boys. But to -see Dan arrive with a squad of policemen was something of a surprise. - -"I hope you're making no mistake," Mr. Hatfield remarked to the boy after -he had been informed that the hotel was to be searched. "Mr. Manheim -looks as angry as a hornet! If you should be wrong--" - -"All the Cubs saw Jacques at the window," Brad said, coming to Dan's -defense. "The boy must be somewhere on the island." - -While the Cubs and their leaders approached the hotel by an overland -route, police made a swift motorboat descent upon the building, tying up -at the old dock. - -Accompanied by Mr. Manheim, they presented themselves at the front door. -There was no response to their knock. - -"I should have a key," Mr. Manheim said, searching for it in his pocket. -"Don't know what became of it. I've not used it in six months." - -Just then an upstairs window opened and Jabowski looked down on the -group. - -"What d'you want?" he demanded. Then, recognizing his employer, he said -quickly: "Oh, it's you, Mr. Manheim." - -"Open the door," the island owner ordered. "Police insist on searching -the place." - -"I'll be right down," the caretaker replied, leaving the window. - -A moment later he unlocked the front door, staring curiously at the -members of the police squad. - -"Sorry, our orders are to search the place," one of the officers -apologized. "Mind if we look around?" - -"Go ahead," Jabowski shrugged. "I only work here." - -By this time all the Cubs had reached the hotel. However, except for Dan, -Mr. Hatfield would not allow them inside the building. - -The lobby of the old hotel had been converted into a makeshift living -room. Scantily furnished with a few cast-off pieces of rickety furniture, -the floor was unswept and the windows dirty. - -Climbing a flight of squeaky stairs, the policemen began a systematic -search of the bedrooms. Nearly all were empty and unfurnished. - -"Jacques was in the room to the right of the corridor," Dan said, -pointing it out. - -The officer thrust open the door. A boy who had been lying on an unmade -bed, quickly got to his feet. Fully dressed, he stared first at Dan and -then at the policemen. - -"This the boy?" the officer demanded. - -"Yes, it's Jacques," Dan answered as the youth stood mute. - -Mr. Manheim and Jabowski had followed the policemen into the bedroom. - -"Your name, boy?" the police officer questioned. - -"Jacques--Jacques Jabowski." - -"Jabowski? You're related to the caretaker?" - -"He's my nephew," Jabowski answered before the boy could speak. "Anything -wrong with that?" - -The police officer fixed Dan with an annoyed glance. "You didn't mention -a relationship, kid." - -"Well, I didn't know," Dan said in embarrassment. "That is, I'd heard -Jabowski had a nephew, but I never once thought of his being Jacques. The -boy was taken away from the Cave, and when I saw him here--" - -"You jumped to wild conclusions," Mr. Manheim cut in furiously. - -"Jacques will tell you I take good care of him and provide him with -everything he needs," Jabowski added. - -"But you've kept him a prisoner," Dan accused. - -"That's not so," Jabowski denied. He gazed hard at his nephew. "You tell -'em, Jacques. Are you held a prisoner here?" - -Jacques remained silent. - -"Answer up," Jabowski ordered harshly. - -"No!" the boy replied, his face sullen. - -"Jacques don't like it much here in this country," his uncle explained. -"He came over from France six months ago and is learning to speak -English." - -"You see," Mr. Manheim broke in again. "This entire situation has been -misunderstood. Everything is in order here. I foolishly gave the Cub -Scouts permission to camp on my island and they've allowed their -imaginations to run riot." - -"If any mistake has been made, it was entirely mine," Dan said. "But I -can't understand--" - -He gazed at Jacques who was looking at him with a strange expression in -his eyes. It seemed to Dan that the boy wanted to speak, that he was -trying to make something known, and yet was afraid. Dan decided to -question him. - -"Jacques," he said earnestly. "Why did you leave the Cave? Who took you -away?" - -"You came here of your own free will, Jacques," his uncle replied, -putting words in the boy's mind. "Wasn't that it? Tell the officers." - -"Yes," Jacques replied, his eyes downcast. "_Oui_." - -Obviously disgusted by the turn of events, the policemen made a quick and -casual inspection of other rooms in the old hotel. - -"Everything seems to be in order here," they informed Mr. Manheim. "Sorry -to have caused you annoyance." - -Mr. Hatfield and Dan also apologized to the island owner. However, he was -in no mood to accept an explanation or to forgive. - -"I made a mistake allowing the Cubs to come here," Mr. Manheim declared. -"You've spread damaging rumors about the island." - -"If that's the way you feel, we'll leave at once," the Cub leader -replied. "An error of judgment was made, but under the circumstance, I -don't feel Dan should be too severely criticized." - -The island owner and Mr. Hatfield now stood on the sagging veranda, -surrounded by Cubs. A few splatters of rain drove into their faces. - -"I'll not ask you to break camp with a storm coming on," Mr. Manheim -said. "If you'll leave by tomorrow morning, that will be satisfactory." - -"We'll endeavor to depart before that. I'll contact the mainland as -quickly as I can and have a launch come to pick up our equipment." - -"Suit yourselves," Mr. Manheim shrugged. "I'm not driving you away. -You're free to stay until tomorrow morning. After that, I'll consider it -a favor if you'll not bring the Cubs here again." - -"Rest assured we will remain away, Mr. Manheim." - -"Another thing. I've changed my mind about selling the camp site. You -readily can see that it would never work out to have Cubs or Scouts here. -There would be constant friction." - -"On that point I could give you an argument, Mr. Manheim. However, I -realize you've made up your mind, so I'll say no more." - -Leaving Mr. Manheim with Jabowski, the discouraged Cubs trudged back to -camp with their leaders. Rain now was falling steadily, adding to the -gloom of the boys. - -"Brace up, Dan," Brad said as the two sought the shelter of a tent. "It -wasn't exactly your fault." - -"Sure it was," Dan insisted. "I've messed things up for fair. Mr. -Hatfield's being mighty decent about it, but I can see he's bothered. And -the Scouts will blame us for cutting them out of their camp site." - -"Who wants this old island anyhow? We've had plenty of trouble since we -came here." - -"All caused by our own wild imagination, as Manheim puts it! Brad, -Jacques was hiding the truth from the police! I'm sure of it. He's -completely under the thumb of that uncle of his." - -"Maybe so, but if we can't prove it, what's the good in knowing? We'll be -leaving here as soon as this rain lets up." - -Dan nodded gloomily. Already Mr. Hatfield and Midge's father were making -arrangements to have a launch sent from the yacht club. The moment that -the storm cleared, he knew an order would be given to strike the tents. - -"Brad, if we could talk to Jacques alone, maybe we could get something -out of him," he proposed suddenly. - -"Jabowski wouldn't let us within a mile of the kid." - -"Not if he could help himself." - -Brad regarded Dan speculatively. "You're suggesting that we try to see -him when Jabowski isn't around, Dan?" - -"That's the general idea. If we could get to him he might talk. I've -messed things up for the Cubs and I'd like to square myself if I could." - -Brad thought over the proposal. "How'd we get to him?" he asked. - -"We'd have to watch the place and sneak in whenever we got the chance." - -"I don't think it will work," Brad said slowly. "But I'm willing to try. -Shall we tell the other Cubs?" - -"Let's not, Brad. The idea may flop. Let's just slip away." - -"I'll leave a note for Mr. Hatfield," Brad said, scribbling on the page -of a notebook he took from his pocket. "If anything should happen that we -don't get back right away, he might worry." - -The older boy left the message in plain view on his bed. Buttoning -themselves into their slickers, the pair then quitted the tent. -Unnoticed, they followed the shore for a distance, and then sliced -through the dunes to the woodland surrounding Jabowski's place. - -As upon the first occasion they had viewed the old hotel, it appeared -completely deserted. This time, however, the boys were not deceived. - -"Jabowski and his nephew both are inside probably," Brad said. "Our only -chance is to lie in wait until we see Jabowski leave. Then we might try -to get in. We're taking a fearful chance though." - -For three quarters of an hour, the two Cubs shivered in their inadequate -shelter of bushes. Rain continued to fall. During the entire time, no one -entered or left the hotel. - -"We can't stick here forever," Brad said at length. "Mr. Hatfield will be -sending a searching party after us." - -"I guess my idea was a bum one again," Dan admitted, brushing a mop of -damp hair from his eyes. "Want to leave?" - -"Let's make a tour around the hotel first," Brad said. - -Keeping out of sight, the pair crept through the bushes, completely -circling the old building. No one was visible at any of the windows. - -Finally they came to the river. Thrusting through a particularly dense -thicket, Brad abruptly halted. - -"Hello?" he muttered. "What's this?" - -Progress was barred by an accumulation of brush and debris. Pulling some -of it aside, Brad saw a dark opening leading back under the rise of -ground. - -"Gosh, Dan," he murmured in awe. "This looks like the entrance to the old -tunnel Mr. Hatfield told us about." - -"It sure does," Dan agreed excitedly. "And someone's found it ahead of -us. The sand which blocked the entrance was dug out, and then the opening -hidden with all this brush!" - -"Let's find out where it goes!" - -With no thought of personal danger, the boys pulled away enough debris to -permit them to squeeze through into the dark tunnel. - -In years past it had been bricked over, but now water oozed through many -breaks in the walls and low ceiling. - -"This must lead to the old hotel," Dan said, groping his way along the -damp wall. "Maybe we'll get in after all!" - -Before the boys had gone very far they came upon four sturdy sawhorses -where a boat obviously had been allowed to rest while being painted. -Varnish and cans of half-used paint remained, but the boat had been -removed. - -"Dan, I get it all now!" Brad exclaimed. "That boat which struck Mr. -Holloway's sailing craft was painted and outfitted here in the tunnel!" - -"And painted to resemble Mr. Manheim's speedboat!" - -"That's the way I dope it, Dan. Let's see what lies further on." - -Highly excited by their discovery, the two boys moved rapidly on down the -tunnel. Presently, a series of ten stone steps led up to a small bricked -room which they judged must be directly beneath the hotel. - -But to the disappointment of the Cubs, the room was empty save for a few -empty boxes, from which all markings carefully had been removed. - -"Dan, you know what I think!" Brad exclaimed, taking care to keep his -voice low-pitched so that it would not carry to the rooms above. "This -room has been used for the storage of loot!" - -"The furs stolen from the warehouse!" - -"It wouldn't surprise me. Why, it was a perfect set-up! The crooks -snatched the stuff and made a quick dash across the river. No one became -suspicious, because the boat looked exactly like Manheim's." - -"They unloaded the boxes here, and then if police checked the boat, of -course they'd find nothing!" - -"Exactly! Then after the theft blew over and police weren't watching the -waterfront as closely, they moved the stuff out and disposed of it." - -"Brad, I was right after all! Jabowski is mixed up in this!" - -"Maybe so, but we have no proof," Brad brought him up short. "While we're -pretty certain in our own minds what happened, the evidence isn't -conclusive. All we have here is a few empty boxes. It doesn't establish -anyone's guilt." - -"That's true," Dan admitted unwillingly. "If we went to the police with -this, they'd probably give me the jolly ha-ha again." - -"Let's see where this tunnel comes out," Brad proposed. - -Quitting the bricked room, the boys followed a dark passageway until they -came to a solid oak door. It was locked. - -"This is the end," Brad whispered. "The door must enter the hotel. -Jabowski may go back and forth, but he'd never admit it." - -"What do you think we should do?" - -"We'll tell Mr. Hatfield, of course. He may go to the police, but I doubt -it. The Cubs already are in Dutch with Mr. Manheim. If we make any more -accusations we can't prove, he'll have a right to be furious." - -"But this we can prove," Dan argued. "The tunnel is here." - -"That's the unfortunate part, Dan. It always has been here. We can't tie -a thing onto Jabowski or those other fellows unless police should catch -'em red-handed." - -"Fine chance of that!" - -"They may try to pull another job. What was the date on that coded -message?" - -"The 24th. I remember because it's the day of our Pack swimming meet." - -"That date may have significance," Brad speculated. "But it's not for us -to decide. Let's get out of here now and give Mr. Hatfield all the facts. -Then he can take the responsibility." - -Dan knew that the older boy's advice was sound and should be followed. -But it was with a sinking heart that he followed Brad through the damp -tunnel to the river. - -He was willing to bet that neither the Cub leader nor police would favor -another raid on the island. His attempt to straighten out matters had -failed! Time had run out. - -Through his bungling, the Cubs would lose their island camp. And there -wasn't a thing he could do. - - - - - CHAPTER 14 - Victory for Den 2 - - -At the "Y" swimming pool, Dan Carter and the Cubs lounged against the -tiled wall, awaiting the signal for start of the long-awaited Pack meet. - -The gallery was jammed with spectators, for parents and friends of both -teams had turned out in large numbers to witness this decisive contest of -the season. A large silver cup, to be awarded the winning Den, stood on a -table in plain view of the swimmers. - -"Gosh, I sure hope we can win that beautiful baby," Midge said, gazing -longingly at the trophy. "Dan, we're depending on you to do your stuff!" - -"I'll sure try," Dan replied, shivering in his wet suit. "But you know -Ross! He's jet propelled. Furthermore, he hasn't forgotten how we won -that last meet." - -As the boys talked, Ross himself sauntered past. He paused to hitch up -his trunks and fix Dan with an amused eye. - -"It's going to be too bad for you, little shrimp," he jeered. "This time, -you won't win on a fluke! In fact, you won't win. Period." - -"Don't be too sure," Midge cut in. "Take a look at the events that have -been posted." - -"What's different about 'em?" Ross demanded suspiciously. - -"The coaches got together and substituted a 75-yard free style for the -50-yard. They figure it's a better test of swimming form. In the shorter -distance, a good turn at the wall gives a fellow a big advantage." - -"No one told me about changing the distance," Ross muttered. "I'm going -to find out about this!" - -The Cubs saw him arguing vigorously with his own coach and Mr. Hatfield. -The two men listened to his complaint but did not change the list of -scheduled events. - -"It's this way, Ross," Mr. Hatfield explained. "The Cubs steadily have -increased their endurance as well as their speed. At the beginning of the -season, a 50-yard swim was a hard race for everyone concerned. Now it's a -breeze. The 75-yard freestyle is a far better test of one's real -ability." - -"Sure, I guess so," Ross admitted, but he looked worried. Though the Den -1 coach had urged him many times to practice the longer length, he nearly -always had stopped short at the end of two turns. - -While waiting for the starting signal, Dan at the other end of the pool -allowed his gaze to wander over the packed audience. In the back row near -the door he caught a glimpse of a short little man whose sharp-featured -face gave him a start. - -"Midge, look over there!" he muttered, nudging his companion. - -"Where?" - -"He's gone now," Dan returned. "Slipped out through the door. For just a -minute I thought--" - -A shrill blast from Mr. Hatfield's whistle drove the matter from his mind -entirely. Scrambling to his feet, he lined up for the first event of the -meet. - -In rapid order the events were run through, the back stroke, fancy -diving, the 100-yard relay race, and a breast stroke event. With only one -event remaining--the 75-yard freestyle, the score stood 20 to 16 in favor -of Den 2. - -To win the meet the Cubs of Den 2 knew that Dan must defeat Ross for -first place. But in the freestyle relay event, the Den 1 swimmer had put -on a spectacular burst of speed to capture the event. The prospects -looked discouraging. - -"Just swim your own race, Dan," Mr. Holloway advised as the boy went to -the starting line. - -The swimmers crouched above their lanes awaiting the signal. Sensing that -the race would be a close one, the audience rose to its feet. - -Mr. Hatfield's revolver cracked and the swimmers were off. - -Almost together Ross and Dan struck the water in flat, fast racing dives. -From the start, the Den 1 swimmer took the lead. - -Dan heard the groans of dismay from his teammates and instinctively -increased the tempo of his thrashing legs. Then he told himself he could -not hold the pace. Deliberately, he dropped back to his former rhythm. - -The race would be a gruelling one at the end. He must save a little -reserve for that final spurt! - -At the turn, Ross was nearly two body lengths ahead of Dan, his closest -competitor. Midge and a youth who swam for Den 1 were almost -neck-and-neck another three feet behind. - -After the second length, Ross slowed down a bit. Dan's arms and legs now -were moving with the easy precision of well-oiled machinery. Going into -the final turn, the boy suddenly realized that for the first time in the -race, he was a foot ahead! - -The knowledge shocked him into losing the smooth rhythm of his stroke. -Ross, desperate to regain the lead, spurted ahead once more. - -"Come on, Dan!" his teammates pleaded. "Come on!" - -Across the pool, the Cubs of Den 1 were urging Ross to give his all. Both -boys put on a final thrust of speed. - -Dan's arms ached with fatigue but his breath was good. _Fight, fight, -fight!_ The words pounded through his brain and conveyed themselves to -his thrashing legs. His driving arms churned the water to foam as he put -forth a supreme effort. - -The finish line was just ahead. As Dan surged for it with a feel of power -and strength, Ross suddenly seemed to cave in. His stroke lost all -rhythm, arm and leg movements became jerky. - -Dan moved steadily ahead of him, touching the wall a full length ahead. -The audience burst into loud applause. Midge who came in third, after -Ross, also was given a big hand. - -"Well, you did it, boy!" Brad declared, clapping Dan on the back. "Look -at that scoreboard!" - -Mr. Hatfield was writing up the chalk figures--26 to 19 in favor of Den -2. - -"We've won the silver cup!" Chips Davis added, joining in the -congratulations. "And not on any fluke either!" - -His breath recovered, Ross came around to offer Dan his hand. - -"You swam a dandy race and deserved to win," he said warmly. "From now -on, I'm going in for heavy practice!" - -"Next year we'll have a real race," Dan grinned. "You gave me stiff -competition this season." - -Following his teammates to the dressing room, the boy showered and -scrambled into street clothes. Victory had brought a warm inner glow. He -felt at peace with the world. - -The feeling, however, was short lived. In leaving the dressing room, he -chanced to hear Mr. Holloway and the Den 1 coach discussing prospects of -obtaining Skeleton Island as a Scout camp. - -"The deal's definitely washed up," Midge's father told the coach. "Too -bad, because the site is the best one around Webster City." - -Since the weekend when the Cubs had camped on the island, Dan had not -seen Mr. Manheim or the caretaker, Jabowski. He and Brad had reported to -Mr. Hatfield their discovery of the old tunnel leading under the hotel. -However, the Cub leader had not considered it advisable to take the -matter up. - -"It's useless to speculate on what may have happened there," he told the -disappointed boys. "To impress Mr. Manheim or the police, we need -evidence. Without it, we'll be wise to let matters rest as they are." - -Dan also had been discouraged to learn that Frisk Fagan, the motorboat -operator, had been released from jail on bond. Realization that the man -was at liberty gave the boy a few uneasy moments. Though he expected no -trouble, he could not forget that he had been warned not to identify the -man. - -As Dan removed his coat from the locker, Mack came hurrying up. - -"Say, you're wanted outside," he informed. "A man wants to talk to you." - -"Who is he, Mack?" - -"Didn't say," the other flung over his shoulder as he went on toward the -dressing room. "He's waiting out in front of the building." - -Dan put on his coat and started for the street. By this time the main -part of the "Y" building was nearly deserted of visitors. - -As he stepped out onto a stone porch giving exit to the street, a little -man in an overcoat pulled high around his neck emerged from the shadows. -Dan recoiled. - -The man was Paper Bag Eddie. - -"Hello, Dan," the other said in his purring voice. "Want to take a little -ride with me?" - -Dan started to retreat into the building, but Eddie blocked the doorway. -The dark street was deserted except for a taxi cab. - -"Don't let out a peep or make a false move," the man said, tapping the -little paper bag he carried. "You're coming with me." - -Taking a firm grasp upon Dan's arm, he shoved him toward the waiting taxi -cab. - -The boy braced his feet and started to resist. But as he opened his mouth -to let out a yell for help, Eddie jammed the paper bag into his ribs. He -felt the pressure of a revolver press against his flesh. - -"Don't yip, or I'll let you have it," the little man said in his pleasant -voice. "Just get in that taxi." - -Dan obeyed. As he slumped in the rear seat, he took a quick glance at the -driver. Though the face was unfamiliar, he thought the man resembled one -of the persons he had seen on the night Mr. Holloway's motorboat had been -struck. It was an ugly face, cold and unfriendly. He realized with a -sinking heart that any appeal to the driver for help would be a waste of -breath. - -Eddie sat close beside Dan, his stubby legs stretched out in front of -him. - -"We have a little score to settle, Dan," the man said, eyeing the boy -narrowly. "Remember?" - -The words sent an icy chill chasing down Dan's spine. Eddie hadn't -forgotten his identification of Frisk Fagan. And this was the payoff! - -"Where are you taking me?" he demanded. - -Eddie merely smiled and settled back in the cab. The taxi driver, without -an order, shifted gears and they sped away. - -Along the brightly lighted street, Dan saw many persons he knew walking -home from the swimming meet. But he was helpless to signal them or to let -anyone know of his plight. - -At the next corner, the taxi turned, seeking a narrow, dark street. -Gradually it came to Dan that he was being driven to the waterfront. His -uneasiness increased. - -The cab presently pulled up not far from a familiar group of warehouses. -Eddie made no move to leave the taxi. Instead, he seemed to be waiting -for someone. - -Within five minutes, a tapping sound was heard along the dark street. -Craning his neck, Dan saw the blindman and his dog approaching the cab. - -The boy's heart leaped with hope. If only he could get word to the man, -or in some manner make known his predicament! - -But a moment later Dan's hopes nose-dived. The blindman came directly to -the cab. He greeted Eddie as an old friend. - -"Sorry to be late," he apologized. "You got the kid, I see." - -"Sure," Eddie replied, lowering the cab window. "Everything set?" - -"The shipment's in, settin' out on Dock 23 covered with canvas. All we -gotta do is distract the watchman while the sawing goes on." - -As he spoke, the blindman removed his dark glasses. His eyes as they -coldly appraised Dan looked perfectly normal. With a shock the boy -realized that Joe Matt never had been blind. - -"He's been a spotter for the gang of river pirates!" Dan thought. "All -the time he's kept watch of shipments to learn when valuable ones go -through! Hank foolishly told him everything!" - -Belatedly, it occurred to him that this was the night of the 24th. The -blindman had learned long ago that a valuable shipment of furs or other -merchandise was to be sent through on this day. - -As Dan figured it out, the boy Jacques undoubtedly had been assigned to -relay the information to a member of the gang. The coded message must -have referred to the shipment and was in effect "Coming through on the -24th!" But something had gone awry. Either Jacques had rebelled or had -met with an accident as he crossed the river. - -"That's why the boy wouldn't talk," he thought. "He didn't dare. He was -afraid of what the gang would do to him." - -Dan's meditation was cut short by a poke in the ribs from Paper Bag -Eddie. - -"Get out!" the man ordered. "If you do exactly as you're told, you won't -be hurt. But don't try any monkey business." - -Dan was forced to walk along the dock ahead of the blindman and his dog. -Eddie loitered far behind. - -"Now get this," Joe Matt said. "One false move and Rudy will tear you to -shreds. You'll do exactly as I say. These are your orders: You're to talk -to Hank and keep him occupied. I don't care what you say, just so you -hold his attention. If you fail--" - -"So I'm to be a decoy?" - -"You're to throw him off his guard. Just keep him away from the dock -while our work goes on." - -"Work! You're stealing another shipment of furs!" - -"Right, my boy. From under Hank's very nose too!" The blindman paused in -the shadow of the warehouse. "See the stupid fool!" - -The warehouseman nervously paced back and forth along the dock. -Frequently he paused to glance at a pile of boxes which had been covered -by a heavy canvas. - -"How do you aim to get the furs?" Dan whispered. "If you make any false -move, Hank will blow his whistle and the river police will be here in a -flash." - -"Don't you worry yourself, my boy. Just do as you're told and don't ask -questions." - -The blindman gave Dan a shove, following a pace behind. At sound of his -tapping cane, the warehouseman whirled around. - -"Oh, it's you," he said in relief. "I'm a mite jumpy tonight. Guarding a -valuable cargo. She's due to be picked up in another hour. It sure will -be a load off my mind." - -"Hank, I got a sliver in my hand a minute ago," the blindman said in a -half-whine intended to arouse sympathy. "Will you help me get it out?" - -"Can't see a thing out here." - -"Come inside where there's a good light." - -The warehouseman hesitated. "I shouldn't leave the dock--" - -"Oh, it will only take a minute. You can watch the canvas from the -doorway. Dan here can help you keep an eye on it." - -"My eyesight isn't very good at night," Dan said significantly. - -The blindman's arm pressed hard into his flesh. - -"Lead me inside, Dan," the man ordered. "That's a good boy. You're a real -help to a poor soul without any eyes." - -The three entered the warehouse where they switched on a bright electric -light. Carefully he examined the blindman's hand. - -"It's only a little sliver," he said. "Hardly worth bothering about. -Here, I'll get it out in a jiffy." - -With his knife he removed the tiny piece of wood. - -Dan, who stood where he could see the canvas which covered the crate of -furs, thought he could hear the indistinct sound of someone sawing wood. -But he could see no one. - -Then the explanation dawned upon him! Hours before, a boat had slipped in -beneath the dock, lying in wait for this moment. Now the river pirates -boldly were carving through the dock with steel braces, bits and saws! - -Undoubtedly the blindman himself had given the go-ahead signal by tapping -with his cane. - -"Those crooks will have the box through the hole and into their boat -before Hank catches on!" he thought. - -Dan sidled toward the door. Rudy growled and barred his way. - -Outside the warehouse, Eddie lounged against a wall, smoking a cigarette. -All escape was cut off. Even if he could let Hank know what was -happening, Dan knew it was too late to prevent the theft. - -"Well, Dan, how did you do in the swimming meet tonight?" Hank asked, -making conversation. "Give us a full account." - -"We won," Dan answered shortly. - -Again he felt Matt's hard pressure on his arm. Knowing that he was -expected to keep the warehouseman interested, he grudgingly added a few -details. - -From where the boy stood, he could see the high mound of canvas. Suddenly -it deflated like a pricked balloon. - -The river pirates had succeeded in lowering the loot through the dock -hole into their boat! In another moment they would speed away unchecked. - -The sight goaded Dan beyond thought of personal risk. - -"Quick, Hank!" he shouted. "They're stealing the furs!" - -The watchman whirled toward the door, only to have Joe Matt's cane crash -down on his head. Hank staggered back, slowly collapsing on the floor. - -When Dan would have leaped to the man's assistance, the dog barred his -way. - -Joe Matt seized the boy by the arm, pushing him roughly out the door. Dan -resisted with all his strength. But he was powerless in the grasp of the -other. - -The motorboat, loaded with the boxes and crates of furs, had emerged from -beneath the dock. As it coasted alongside, the blindman shoved Dan ahead -of him and down into the craft. - -Frisk Fagan crouched at the steering wheel. Jabowski, his face well -hidden beneath a cap, huddled beside one of the boxes which had been -shoved half way into the cabin. Jacques sat slumped over in the stern of -the boat. - -"Hey! What's the idea?" Frisk Fagan growled. "We can't take that kid -along. We're overloaded now." - -"We got to take him along," Joe Matt answered. "If we don't, he'll spill -everything to the cops. Git going!" - -Leaping down into the boat, the man bound Dan's legs and wrists with a -stout piece of cord. - -"Better gag him too," Fagan advised. "The river is swarming with cops. -Three boats out watching the shore. We can't risk having him yip at the -wrong minute." - -"I'll fix him right," Joe muttered. He pulled the thongs tighter about -the boy's wrists and stuffed a handkerchief into his mouth. - -The motorboat sped away from the dock, nosing directly toward Skeleton -Island. - -Scarcely was the craft well out from shore than those aboard heard the -shrill blast of a police whistle. Dan's heart leaped with hope. - -"We've been seen!" Joe Matt muttered. "Either that, or Hank has revived -and given the alarm! Faster, Frisk!" - -"I'm pushin' her as hard as I can." - -"A police boat is putting out from shore now," Joe Matt informed, -scanning the river. "Probably armed with a 45-calibre submachine gun!" - -"Keep cool," Frisk advised. "We have a head start. We'll make the island -okay and can hide the boat in the tunnel." - -"And if it's found there I'll take the rap," Jabowski whined. "I wish -you'd never mixed me up in this dirty mess. And you dragged Jacques in -against his will--" - -"Shut up!" Frisk said harshly. "We'll get out of this. But if we don't, -we'll all take the rap together." - -"Throw the cargo overboard," Jabowski pleaded. "Then the cops won't find -any evidence even if they do catch up with us." - -He arose and reached for one of the smaller boxes. Joe Matt shoved him -back. - -"Lay off!" he ordered. "We went to plenty of risk to carry out this job -tonight. We ain't pitching any $10,000 haul just because a copper blows a -little tin whistle!" - -By this time, a powerfully motored police boat had taken up the pursuit. -Jabowski watched anxiously as its brilliant searchlight swept the water. - -"She's coming up fast!" he exclaimed. "They'll soon be within firing -distance." - -"Keep your shirt on," Frisk advised, hunching lower over the steering -wheel. "The cops don't know for sure we got the stuff. They may take the -boat for Manheim's just as we figured. While they're wondering whether -they dare risk taking a shot, we'll make the island." - -"I dunno," Jabowski said fearfully. "They're gaining." - -"We'll make the island," Frisk repeated with more confidence. "The Dawson -Street bridge is just ahead. Once past there, we'll be hidden from view. -We'll slip behind the island into the tunnel. You left Manheim's boat -tied to the wharf?" - -"Sure, just as you ordered." - -"Good. If the cops come by and check they'll find the motor cold. You can -claim you haven't been away from the island all night." - -"They'll question me. I'm not willing to take the rap while the rest of -you get away." - -"The cops can't prove a thing once we make the tunnel," Fagan growled. -"This is our last haul in this area. You'll get your share and we pull -out to a safer spot." - -"We pull out all right," Jabowski muttered. "After tonight I'm through. I -never should have dragged poor Jacques into this mess--he tried to run -away--" - -The caretaker glanced briefly at his nephew, huddled in the stern of the -boat. Jacques gave no sign he had heard. - -"If the cops overtake us--" Jabowski whined. - -"Oh, pipe down," Frisk said irritably. "We're coming to the bridge now. -We're safe!" - -Lying quite helpless on the deck of the speeding motorboat, Dan suddenly -saw Jacques come to life. - -With no warning whatsoever, the boy sprang to his feet. Savagely, he -hurled himself upon the surprised Frisk Fagan, wresting the steering -wheel from him. - -"Hey, have you gone crazy?" Frisk shouted. - -With both hands he gave the boy a mighty shove which sent him reeling -backwards over the gunwale. - -Out of control, the motorboat crashed with terrific impact into the -bridge pier. - - - - - CHAPTER 15 - The Pay-Off - - -Dan was hurled violently into the foaming water. As he went under, he -held his breath and instinctively turned his head upward. - -After what seemed an eternity, his face emerged from the water. - -But the boy was helpless, bound hand and foot. He rolled over on his -back, trying to float. The gag in his mouth had become water soaked. He -began to choke. - -This, he thought, was it. - -As black despair claimed him, a hand reached out of nowhere to support -his back. The gag was jerked from his mouth so that he could breath -again. Gratefully, he sucked in big mouthfuls of air. - -Twisting his head, Dan saw that it was Jacques who had saved him. The boy -was treading water beside him, supporting his body with his left hand. - -"Lie still," Jacques commanded. "I tow you. Police boat come. Pick us -up." - -Even as he spoke, the powerful beam from the approaching launch -spotlighted the water about them. A moment later, both boys were hauled -aboard. - -"Jacques, you saved me," Dan murmured gratefully as the other boy bent to -unfasten the ropes which bound him. "Thanks." - -Gravely they shook hands and wrung the water from their dripping -garments. - -"And you deliberately crashed the boat so the police would catch up with -us," Dan added. "Why, Jacques?" - -The boy shrugged. "Only way," he answered briefly. - -After freeing Dan, Jacques watched anxiously while police picked up his -uncle, Frisk Fagan and Joe Matt. The three had saved themselves by -clinging to the sinking motorboat. - -Before the men could release the boxes of stolen furs, police had them -covered. They were forced aboard the launch, and the smashed motorboat -taken in tow. Fagan's forehead was cut and Jabowski nursed an injured -arm. Otherwise the crash had left them unscathed. - -"This was your fault!" Joe Matt accused Jacques savagely as a policeman -snapped handcuffs on his wrists. "Yellow rat! I wish I'd let you go that -time you sneaked away!" - -During the ride back to the dock, police officers took detailed -statements from both Dan and Jacques. The later spoke in broken English -and had difficulty in telling his story. - -However, he revealed that in recent weeks he had been held virtually a -prisoner at Skeleton Island. Brought to America from France by his uncle, -everything had gone well until Jabowski had fallen in with evil -companions. - -On the night that the Cubs had found him lying exhausted on the beach, -the boy had been assigned to carry a message in code to Joe Matt. - -"And what did that message say?" Dan asked. "I figured out only the first -word before it was snatched from the Cave." - -"Coming through 24," Jacques revealed. "Today the 24th." - -"That meant the fur shipment?" - -Jacques nodded, explaining that the message, relayed by tip-off men to -his uncle, had been intended for Joe Matt. But instead of delivering it, -the boy had made up his mind to run away. - -"I leap from my uncle's boat and swim away in dark," he added. "Reach -shore. Hard swim." - -"You were plenty tired when we found you," Dan recalled. "I understand -now why you were unwilling to talk. You were deeply involved with your -uncle and the gang." - -"Uncle good to me," Jacques said simply. "Bring me to America." - -"I get the picture now," Dan said. "Without meaning to, I let Joe Matt -know you were staying at the Cave. He came there and made you return to -your uncle, didn't he?" - -Jacques nodded, his eyes on the shore lights which now were close by. - -"That explains those peculiar circular marks in the sand," Dan went on -piecing the story together. "They were made by Joe Matt's cane! Oh, he -was clever, pretending to be blind. All the while, he picked up -information and relayed it to members of the ring. Hank considered him a -friend!" - -The launch reached the dock and the three prisoners were herded ashore. -Hank Hawkins, having revived from the blow Joe Matt had struck, readily -identified the boxes of furs as the ones stolen from his company. - -"Another one of the gang got away!" he told police excitedly. "He pulled -out in a taxi cab." - -"That would be Paper Bag Eddie," Dan informed. "The driver of the cab was -in on the deal too." - -"We'll get 'em both," the boy was assured. "If not tonight, within a day -or two. Eddie is the key man of a ring of river pirates. The gang is -composed of tip-off men, highjackers, a lawyer and a bail bondsman. Also -a fence or two who sell the loot. But we'll round 'em up in time." - -All three prisoners and Jacques as well, were taken to the police station -to be booked on larceny charges. However, officers assured Jacques that -he would not be held for trial, providing he would testify against Joe -Matt and other members of the gang. This the boy agreed to do. - -Dan's narrow escape at the hands of the river pirates became the talk of -Webster City during the next few days. Especially was his adventure the -chief topic of conversation among the Cubs of both Dens 1 and 2. - -"You're a hero, Dan," Brad told him proudly. "Why, you brought that gang -to heel single-handed!" - -"Don't give me that line," Dan laughed. "I was just an unwilling -passenger. Jacques was the one who brought about the capture. To do it he -had to turn his own uncle in and risk prison himself. That kid sure has -what it takes." - -"He's a Cub too," Brad said proudly. "He joined in France. Mr. Hatfield's -trying to make arrangements to keep him here in Webster City." - -"Maybe he'll join our Den!" - -"Here's hoping. He'll be a live wire, that's certain." - -As both boys knew, Jacques had been released on probation to Mr. -Hatfield. Temporarily, the French lad was living in the Cub leader's home -where he would remain until called to testify in court. - -Three days elapsed. At the end of that time the Cubs were elated to learn -that Paper Bag Eddie had been captured in a neighboring city. Thereafter, -one by one, other members of the ring were arrested and returned to -Webster City to face charges. - -"Now that the entire gang is in the jug, I feel a lot safer," Dan -remarked one night to Brad. The two boys had arrived early at the Cave -prior to a Den meeting at which Jacques was to be taken in as a member. -"For awhile, I couldn't look a sack of popcorn in the face!" - -One by one, the Cubs and their parents began to arrive for the meeting. -Mr. Hatfield started it off with a little talk. First he told the boys -how proud he was that Den 2 had won the swimming meet and the silver -trophy which now graced a table in the Cave. - -Next the Cub leader paid tribute to Dan for his coolness in the face of -danger. Finally he spoke of the Cub ideals and the honor of the -organization. - -"A real Cub always is square," he emphasized, smiling across the room at -Jacques. "Crooked people are unfair, even to themselves. So the Cub -follows the law of God and man. I commend Jacques for being true to the -ideals he was taught as a Cub. The organization is proud to claim him as -a member." - -"Three cheers for Jacques!" proposed Dan. - -The Cubs gave them with a will. Mr. Hatfield was on the verge of -proposing a song, when footsteps were heard on the steps leading up to -the Cave. - -Everyone turned to see Mr. Manheim standing in the doorway. The owner of -Skeleton Island looked a little embarrassed. - -"Hope I'm not intruding," he said awkwardly. - -"Certainly not, Mr. Manheim," the Cub leader replied. "The Cubs always -are pleased to have visitors." - -"Matter of fact, I came here on business," the island owner said, -entering the clubroom. "May I have permission to speak a few words?" - -"The floor is yours," the Cub leader told him. - -Mr. Manheim faced the circle of Cubs. He cleared his throat and then -began: - -"Boys, I owe you an apology. I've meant to come here before, but the -truth is, I've been ashamed. You all know what happened at Skeleton -Island. My man Jabowski, in whom I placed great trust, deceived me." - -Suddenly made aware that Jacques was in the group, Mr. Manheim coughed in -embarrassment and added quickly: "But that is not what I came here to -say. I apologize to the Cubs for misjudging them. Events have proven -conclusively that Dan Carter was right and that I was wrong." - -"Under the circumstance, your mistake was natural, Mr. Manheim," the Cub -leader said politely. "After all, the Cubs were a trifle hasty in their -actions." - -The island owner waved aside the apology. "This is what I really came to -say. I hope the Cubs will forget that I ever ordered them away from the -island. I'm engaging a new caretaker, and the property is yours to use -whenever you like." - -"That's most generous of you, Mr. Manheim," the Cub leader thanked him. - -"Furthermore, I'm deeding the camp site to the Scouts without charge. -It's the least I can do to make amends." - -The island owner's generosity delighted the Cubs. Dan proposed a cheer -for Mr. Manheim which was given with a will. - -"One thing more," the island owner said. "I understand that Mr. -Holloway's sailboat was struck either by my motorboat or one which -closely resembled it. In either case, Jabowski was mixed up in the -affair. I'll send my check to cover the damage." - -"It really isn't necessary," Mr. Holloway protested. - -"I want to do it," Mr. Manheim insisted. "Shall we say it eases my -conscience? Well, good-bye boys. I'll see you at the new camp." With a -friendly wave of his hand, he departed. - -The Cub meeting now ended quietly with the singing of "The Star Spangled -Banner." After the last note had died away, the boys clustered about -Jacques to grasp his hand and welcome him to the organization. - -"Very glad to be a Cub," the boy grinned. "Glad to be American too." - -"Don't think we aren't tickled to have you!" Brad said warmly. - -"Oh, we'll have wonderful times next summer at Skeleton Island," Dan -added with an air of deep satisfaction. He linked arms with Jacques and -Brad as the boys trooped out of the Cave. "Best of all, we've proved to -Mr. Manheim that Cubs really know their stuff!" - - - - - 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. - - - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Dan Carter and the River Camp, by Mildred A. 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