Leadership for the Coachteam Leader:

 

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CHAPTER XVII

CLEARING SKIES

Paul made no reply to this remark of his chum.

Having studied the charms of outdoor life always, he knew that he would
be placing his friends under a heavy handicap if he ever attempted to
compete with them in woodlore.

True, just as he said, Wallace was somewhat of an unknown quantity; for
he, too, seemed to have a deep love for everything connected with life in
the forest, and never tired of reading books that told of pioneers and
their ways.

The scout leader immediately started some of the boys along another tack.
They were given a chance to find a lost trail, to detect all manner of
signs such as would be apt to tell how long previously some one had
passed that way; and to discover where the tracks came out of the creek,
upon the bed of which the unknown had walked quite some distance.

Of course, Paul had made the trail himself in the morning, running out
here on his wheel so as to prepare the ground. And when they all failed
to find out just how the party had left the creek, since the marked
tracks did not seem to appear anywhere along the banks, he pointed to
where the limb of a tree hung down over the water.

"That's the ticket!" cried Bobolink, excitedly. "See, fellows, how it's
skinned where his shoes scraped along it."

"As sure as shooting he climbed up into that tree!" declared one,
excitedly.

"Then scatter, and examine the ground around the trunk!" said Paul.

A minute or so later a happy whoop announced that one of the searchers
had discovered the wished-for signs; and away the whole troop went on
a trot, following the leader.

Meanwhile the photographers managed to get in some of their efforts,
possibly unbeknown to the rest. Exposures where the subjects are
unconscious of their posing always turn out best; since they avoid
stiffness, such as ruins so many otherwise interesting pictures.

Here, with the woods for a background, Paul, acting by agreement as
temporary scout master, drilled his followers in scout law, sign, salute,
and the significance of the badges which they wore, all of them, of
course, of the tenderfoot type, since few had as yet started to qualify
for any higher plane.

Signal flags had been brought along; and a class in semaphore work proved
that some of the members of the troop were making rapid progress along
that line. They had mastered the Morse code, too; and had the occasion
arisen might have sent messages over the wire, although probably none
save Paul could have received the same, unless the words came painfully
slow.

The afternoon passed almost before they realized it; and more than a few
declared that the sun must have dropped like a plummet, when they found
twilight creeping upon the forest.

Both Ted and Ward had long since gone away, as though disgusted. They had
tried to sneer at the work of Stanhope Troop No. 1; but every one knew
this humor was assumed; and that secretly they were eating their very
hearts out for envy.

No doubt there would be a hot time among their followers, when the
leaders endeavored to drive them to beat the record Wallace Carberry
had set in his fire starting, and water-boiling test.

"Suppose you come to supper with me, Paul," suggested Jack, when they
were more than half way back to town, with the double column moving along
like clockwork, every right leg thrust out in unison, as though forming a
part of a well-regulated machine.

Paul looked quickly at him when Jack said this.

"Oh! I can see through a millstone, when it has a hole in it," he
remarked.

"Which is one way of saying that you can guess I have a motive in asking
you?" returned the other, smiling queerly; "well, I have, in fact,
several. In the first place my mother told me to ask you. I rather think
she wants to pump you about that affair last night. Father wouldn't tell
her all she wished to know. Then again I'm still all broken up about
those lost coins; and I thought perhaps you might have guessed the answer
to the riddle."

"What's that? More of them gone, Jack?" asked Paul, lowering his voice,
so that the two scouts at the tail end of the line might not hear.

"Don't know yet. Didn't have the nerve to go up into my den since this
morning. To tell the truth that place has lost all charm for me. Whenever
I find myself there I get to shivering, and looking around, just like I
half expected to see a ghost step out, and pick up one of those miserable
coins right before my very eyes--ugh! it's horrible to feel that way, and
I used to be so fond of my den, too."

"Oh! I hope and expect you will be again, Jack, when we've settled this
little thing. You say none of them were ever taken in the night?" said
Paul, earnestly; while his knitted brows told how much he felt concerned
over the mystery.

"Certainly not. Always in broad daylight. That's the queer part of it,"
returned the other, promptly.

"Sure, seeing that they always go in the daytime, and when you're away
from home, too. Anybody else going to be there to-night?"

"To supper--oh! no. Karl went off after breakfast, to visit our uncle for
a few days before school commences. I took him to the train myself, and
then mustered up enough courage to climb up there, and once more count
the coins," went on Jack.

"Six there then, eh?" asked Paul.

"Just as last night. And I purposely left the door unlocked."

"Both door and window open in the bargain?" asked the other; at which
Jack looked puzzled.

"Of course; though that wouldn't matter at all; for any fellow could turn
the knob, and walk in," he replied.

"But the door was open, just like a plain invitation to enter, should
anybody think of going up to see--say that again, please," continued
Paul.

"Well, I do say it again, though I can't understand why you should make
that a point worth mentioning. Still, I have confidence in you, Paul. If
anybody can get at the root of my trouble it's going to be you, old
fellow."

"I hope you prove a true prophet. As for myself I'm not saying anything
just yet, one way or another," smiled Paul.

"Yes, but I really believe that you've found out something that gives you
a pointer, Paul. Your face tells me that. You're a wonder about following
a trail in the woods. And I believe you see light in this darkness around
me!" and Jack looked eagerly into the face of his chum as he said this.

"All I'm going to confess is that I believe I'm on the trail, and that
it seems to be getting warmer the further I go. Just hold your horses
a little while longer, Jack, and perhaps I may be able to tell you
something."

"The way you smile gives me new courage, old fellow. Oh! I will be so
glad if only it turns out all right. But here we are at the smithy. Shall
you dismiss the troop here, Paul?"

"Yes. The boys must be pretty tired after last night's work, and this
hike; as well as the many stunts they went through with," and the
temporary master scout presently gave the order to break ranks, and head
for home.

"Drop in at my house so I can tell my folks not to expect me to dinner,"
said Paul, as they approached his home.

There was not the slightest objection to the programme as arranged. His
parents trusted Paul fully, knowing that, while as fond of fun as the
next lad, he never did things likely to get him into trouble.

"Now, first of all," remarked Paul, after they were indoors again; "let's
go up, and make sure that anything has happened."

The door to Jack's den stood wide open, inviting any one to enter.

Jack had a match lighted in his hand, and with this he quickly touched
the wick of a lamp. Paul heard him draw a long breath as he approached
the spot where the little box lay upon the table desk at which stood the
chair used by the owner of the den when taking his leisure here.

He bent over, and seemed to be counting the coins. They dropped back into
the receptacle one by one, and with such a ringing sound that even Paul
was able to keep tally. Then Jack turned an anxious and white face
around.

"Paul, there are only four here. Two more have gone!" he said.

"Yet you came up here and counted them; you are positive of that?"
demanded Paul.

"I counted them, and there were six. Five times I did it, to be sure; yet
you saw that there were only four just now?"

"You came up here after you saw Karl off on the train?" persisted his
chum.

"Yes, after I returned from the station. But what makes you ask that?
Tell me why you are grinning so, Paul? I know I'm awfully dull just now,
but who could blame me under the circumstances? Please speak up!" Jack
insisted.

"Why, don't you see, this clears Karl completely. Six here while he was
riding away on the train this morning; and two taken when he is fifty
miles away! Don't that satisfy you it wasn't your brother, after all,
Jack?"

And Jack dropped down in that chair, letting his head fall in his hands,
while a great joy overspread his face.

 

CHAPTER XVIII

CARLO DOES HIS TURN

"Paul, you're a wizard, I do believe!" said Jack, after a bit, as he
looked up at his chum.

"Well, I hardly think so. This thing was easy; and ten to one you'd have
thought of it sooner or later. For how could Karl have anything to do
with the bad business while he was up at your uncle's?" laughed the
other, with his customary modesty.

"But if not Karl, then who got my old coins?" persisted Jack, smiling
now.

"Well, I'm not quite ready to say. I've got two ideas I'm chasing after
now. Give me just a little more time on that, will you, old fellow?"
replied the visitor, as he dropped down on a cot, and let his eyes rove
along the exhibit of college colors illuminating the walls.

He drew the little box that held the coins toward him. When Jack was not
observing, Paul took the contents out, one by one, and seemed to be
examining them closely. He even scratched one with his finger nail, and
the result appeared to please him, for he chuckled softly. Evidently he
had made a discovery which he deemed important.

Jack, having finished some little task with which he had busied himself,
came back to his chum.

"See here, Paul," he remarked; "I'm not going to ask you to tell me who
it is you suspect; but do I know him?"

"Sure," replied his chum; "and perhaps after we've found out the
wonderful secret, you may even find it in your heart to look on it as
a joke, and forgive him."

"You don't say? Perhaps, though, I might hardly feel like forgiving a
fellow who would be mean enough to sneak up here so often, and take my
old coins. Think of the ugly feelings he's made me have toward my own
brother. I'll never look Karl in the eye after this without feeling
conscience-stricken. I don't know about forgiving him so easy as all
that," grumbled Jack.

"Oh! well, don't cross a bridge till you come to it. That's a good motto
for you and for me. Perhaps there are times when I feel the need of it.
Perhaps there's one right now," and Paul shrugged his shoulders as he
spoke, half laughingly.

"There, I knew that something had gone wrong with you lately. I've
watched you when you thought I wasn't looking, and I've seen you frown.
Suppose you take your old chum into your confidence, Paul? What's
happened? Any trouble at home? Are you bothered over the Boy Scout troop
we've been organizing? Is it about your school affairs?"

Paul shook his head each time the other brought forward a suggestion.

"You're a most determined fellow, Jack," he said, good naturedly; "and
perhaps I hadn't ought to speak of such a thing to anybody; but we've
been chums so long, and misery likes company, you know."

"Then you _are_ in trouble; and you mean to confess to me? Thank you,
Paul, for what you say. I don't think I ever had any cause for worrying
that I didn't come straight to you for comfort. And I always got it,
too."

"Even when you and Dorothy had that nasty little spat that began to look
serious until I just happened to find the note that made all the trouble,
and forced Eli Kosmer to confess he wrote it. You remember that time,
Jack?"

"I guess I do. Dorothy often speaks of it to this day; for we're good
friends, and always will be. But see here, why do you just happen to
mention that business? Oh! I begin to see now," added Jack, as Paul
turned red in the face, and laughed in a rather constrained way.

"I shouldn't wonder but what you did. I'm sure I've denied every other
cause you could think of," he said, sighing heavily.

"It's Arline then. She's been doing something. Yes, I remember now that
I saw her out riding with Ward Kenwood only yesterday. Say, that dude has
been saying something that wasn't true about you, Paul, I'd just wager
anything. He's gone and poisoned her ears with a yarn. It'd be just like
the sneak!"

"Just go slow, Jack. You're saying something that you can't prove. Of
course I believe myself that Ward wouldn't stop at anything like that;
but without the least proof I can't accuse him of it," Paul said,
severely.

"But you could ask Arline?" his friend went on.

"Could I? Well, when a girl chooses to turn me down without a hearing,
and even smiles when she drives past me in the company of a fellow she
knows I detest, and whom she has often said she disliked, what then?
Think I would so far forget myself as to get down on my knees, and beg
her to take me back into favor? Bah!"

"Is it so bad as that then? Oh well, there are other girls just as pretty
as Arline; and you've always been a great favorite with them, Paul; but
hold on, why not let me try to straighten this thing out? You've helped
me all right; and tit for tat is fair play."

"H'm! how do you think you could do anything, Jack? I don't suppose you'd
care to go straight to her, and ask her point blank what I'd done to make
her treat me so cruelly? I shouldn't think of allowing that at all?"

Paul tried to display an air of indifference; but it was poorly assumed;
and his chum knew full well that he was much more pained at these strange
actions on the part of Arline than he cared to admit.

"Oh! there are ways and ways. For instance, you know that Dorothy is one
of the crowd of high school girls Arline goes with. Ward's sister Mazie
is another; and that might account for her being at his house so much.
Now, suppose you let me tell Dorothy. She'll keep it a dead secret, and
in some way manage to get a confession. Say you will, Paul!"

"Have it your own way, old fellow. I'm just about ready to wash my hands
of the whole business. Besides, I've really too many irons in the fire to
be bothering over the silly notions of girls."

It was bravely put, but did not deceive Jack even a little bit; for he
happened to know just how very fond his friend was of the particular girl
in question.

"All right, then. Consider that settled, and I won't say any more about
it until I can report progress," remarked the latter.

"Let's talk of other things than my poor affairs. You insisted on
knowing; and wouldn't take no for an answer. Hello! there's Carlo asking
to come in again. Shall I let him past the door, Jack?"

"Why, of course. This is his den as well as mine. I keep sugar on tap, so
as to put him through some of his paces. Here Carlo, how's your sweet
tooth coming on?" and Jack snapped his fingers in a peculiar way.

Immediately the educated dog squatted on his hind quarters, sat upright
with his forepaws drooping appealingly, and waited, cocking his eyes in
a humorous way at his young master, who had opened a drawer in his desk.

"Just one piece left. Somebody else likes sugar as well as Carlo, I
guess. Well, here you are, now. On trust, boy, on trust!"

So saying he laid the piece of sugar upon the nose of the dog, balancing
it so there could be no falling off.

Carlo, knowing what was expected of him, sat there like a drum major,
quivering with eagerness, yet not daring to move as long as he failed to
hear the command.

"Say, isn't he a sport, all right, Paul? Don't he sit up like a soldier?
Look at his eyes fixed on me. Did you ever see such agony?"

Paul was laughing now.

"He's speaking with his eyes, and begging you not to stretch it out too
far, Jack. Have a little mercy on the poor beggar. Look at his tongue
coming out and reaching up. I think he just wants to taste that sugar.
Give it to him now!"

"Well, Carlo knows that he can't expect to have anything on trust; but
it's a different thing when it's paid for!"

With the last two words, spoken in a natural tone, Carlo became
galvanized into sudden action. He had received the cue for which he was
waiting so patiently. Immediately he made an upward spring; the lump of
sugar was thrown into the air, and as it came down one quick snap secured
it, after which there was a crunching of canine teeth, and a look of
bliss appeared on Carlo's dog face.

"There's the supper gong. Come on down to the bathroom and wash up, Paul!
And you come, too, old dog. No more sugar here; see, the drawer is empty.
Carlo never comes up here without sniffing at that drawer, and looking at
me knowingly. Go ahead, Paul, and I'll put out the lamp."

So they went downstairs, and after a while sought the dining room, where
Paul met both parents of his chum, as well as a gentleman who was
visiting Mr. Stormways.

"Mr. Jared Pender, an old schoolmate of mine, and with whom I made
several voyages abroad years ago," said Mr. Stormways. "He is in the
employ of the Government now, and has to make visits all over the
country, you know."

Paul had once met a gentleman who was a post-office inspector, and
somehow took it for granted that Mr. Pender might be engaged in some
similar business; at any rate it concerned him not at all he concluded,
just what the gentleman's private affairs might be, and he gave the
subject little thought.

 

CHAPTER XIX

THE WARNING OVER THE WIRE

After supper the two boys once more ascended to the snuggery near the
roof.

There was no further reference made to either the disappearance of the
old coins, or Paul's little heart trouble with his girl chum.

They had a number of books loaned them by the good old minister and which
were full of interesting facts connected with the wonderful Boy Scout
movement, especially over in England, where it originated.

Paul was deeply interested in picking out all features that would appeal
to American lads. Until they had found the right party to take the
position of troop master he wished to play the part of scout leader in
such fashion that no one could pick a flaw with his management.

Usually it is some adult to whom this important position is entrusted
from the start; Paul, however, had long been known to be so deeply
interested in many of the branches which concern life in the open, that
his mates were only too glad to have him occupy the exalted position of
leader for the time being.

When they knew as much as Paul did, they believed they would be well
qualified to pass for a first-class scout's assignment.

So Paul, with the assistance of his comrade, was selecting many
interesting competitions. By means of these the boys could be tested as
to their knowledge of those things so important to the boy scouts.

He made many charts showing the different footprints of wild animals, as
well as those of the domestic cat and dog. By following the tracks of
a rabbit a most interesting as well as instructive story could be made
out. It was possible just from the marks on the ground, or the snow, to
tell how the animal had been frightened into wild flight, by what sort of
enemy it had been pursued, where the swoop of owl or eagle had brought
specks of blood upon the leaves or white snow, and finally the picked
bones of poor bunny would reveal the secret of the windup of the chase.

So, in every case, the student of nature could weave a story out of
the marks discovered. It was so in the days of the Indian, when old
Leatherstocking and his long-barreled rifle were leading factors in the
life of the wilds. Daniel Boone and his pioneers used to read such signs
as easily as any boy might the pages of this book. And the deeper any lad
dips into such fascinating studies the more he wants to learn.

When half past nine came Paul said he must be going.

"I've had a jolly evening of it, Jack, and enjoyed every minute with you.
When we get the boys together again we can have half a dozen competitions
going on at once," he said as he arose and stretched himself.

"That's so," replied the other, following suit; while even Carlo arched
his broad back, and prepared to follow them downstairs; "and the best
of this thing is that the more you go into it the greater it gets. I'm
fairly wild to keep it up."

Just as the boys reached the lower floor the telephone bell rang, and
Jack, being near, stepped over to the small table in the hall on which
the receiver rested.

"Yes, sure, he's here. Hold the wire," Paul heard him say, as he smiled;
and then turning to his friend Jack continued: "here, Paul, take hold.
Somebody wants to talk with you. Says he called up your house, and they
told him you were over at my home."

Paul of course wondered who could be wanting him so positively that he
even followed him over to the Stormways house.

"Hello! hello!" he said, quietly.

"That you, Paul?"

"It's Bobolink, I guess," remarked Paul, for the benefit of his chum who
stood by, listening curiously.

"That's right," continued the voice over the wire.

"What's doing to make you chase me up this way, Number Three?" Paul went
on.

"That's the trouble; I just don't know for sure. But when I caught Ted's
voice among the bunch I said to myself, they're up to no good; and I bet
it's Paul they are laying for."

"Hey! what's that? Who's laying for me, and where?" demanded the startled
boy.

"Listen, and I'll tell you all I learned. 'Taint much, but I know that
critter so well that I wouldn't put it past him to try and knock you out,
so that all our drilling in the woods would be upset, and his crowd get
an advantage."

"Oh! bosh! What's this you're giving me, Bobolink?"

"Yes, I expected you'd say that. Think I'm stringing you, don't you,
Paul? But I'm not, all the same. Listen again. Perhaps Ted and two of
his cronies have gone and dressed up in some old Hallowe'en toggery until
they look like a set of bears or hyenas just to frolic around a bit.
Well, mebbe they have; but tell me just why they are hiding close to
_your_ place?" continued the talkative yet determined Bobolink.

"When did you see them?" demanded the other.

"Not more'n eight minutes ago, Paul. Was comin' home myself. Been over
to Bluff's house to fix up some surprises we expect to play on all you
fellers later on, and show you what we know about this scoutin' business.
On the way home I turned in and passed your house. Often come that way,
you know," and the speaker paused as if for breath, or to hear Paul admit
the fact.

"Sure. Go on, you slow turtle. You've got me keyed up now to my top-notch
curiosity. Give us the rest of the yarn," said Paul, eagerly.

"Yarn! H'm! there you go, making out I'm hatching up a story. But take my
word for it, Paul, three fellers are hidin' in the bushes close to your
place, and expectin' some one to pass along in the dark. They started to
jump out at me, and then I heard Ted's voice growlin' to 'em to fade
away, that it wasn't the right one. Thought I'd just ask you if you could
explain what it meant. When your mother told me you was over with Jack I
saw a light, and that's what."

"Well, I'm glad you told me, Bobolink. A good scout is always on the
alert to do his comrade a clever turn; and I won't forget this. That
all?"

"But now I've told you, Paul, aren't you goin' to slip around the back
way, and let them fellers take it out waitin'? Three to one is too much.
They'll do you up, and make out 'twas only horseplay. Please give 'em the
slip, Paul. We need you in our business, you know."

"I'll see about it, Bobolink. Thanks, good-bye!" and Paul switched off.

"Well, what's all this about?" asked Jack, as his chum turned toward him,
with a frown on his face, and a gleam in his eye that the other knew
stood for grim determination.

"He says there are three fellows lying in wait in the bushes near my
place, all rigged up in their Hallowe'en toggery; and that he believes
they know I am over at your house. That's all," remarked Paul, with a
little nervous laugh, and a clinching of his hands.

"Good gracious! you don't say; three of them waiting to pounce on you!
Did he seem to know who they were?" asked Jack, looking worried.

"Well, you might guess that easy enough," replied Paul, scornfully.

"Ted Slavin and some of his ugly ducklings?"

"Bobolink says he recognized Ted's voice. And, I suppose my warm friend
Ward is one of the others. He never loses a chance to get a dig in at
me."

"I don't know," returned Jack, thoughtfully; "to tell the honest truth I
hardly think he can be one of the bunch, because his sister took Arline
home with her to supper; and I guess Ward couldn't be coaxed out while
_she_ is there."

Paul winced, but said nothing.

"Oh! well, it doesn't matter much after all. They're a lot of cowards, or
else they wouldn't be concerned in such a low game. You can give them the
slip by going around the back way," and Jack chuckled at the thought of
those silly fellows waiting an hour or two for the expected victim who
never came, and then going home in sheer disgust.

Paul shook his head.

"Now, that's just what Bobolink said, too; but I've made up my mind that
I'm not going to sneak home, like a dog with his tail between his legs,"
he said, shutting his teeth hard together.

"You mean that you'll take the street that leads to the front of your
house? Oh I well, they'll hardly tackle us when they see there are two,"
remarked Jack.

"And by that you mean you expect to go along. I won't let you do anything
of the kind. Even if they allowed us to pass by, don't you think they'd
be apt to take it out of you when you returned alone? No, I'm your
superior officer, and I order you to stop right here where you belong;
do you understand, Jack?"

"Well," grumbled Jack, shaking his head as if convinced against his will;
"I know you too well to try and go up against you when your mind's made
up; but just the same I think it's a mean shame that you won't let me
walk home with you. Think if they did jump out at us what a jolly time
we'd have handing 'em more than they expected."

"Give it up, old fellow. But I tell you what I can do. You remember that
baseball bat of mine that's been lying over here so long? I'll carry it
home now, and save you the trouble, thank you," nodded Paul.

"Bully! a good idea. Here it is behind the door. And Paul, don't spare
the measly bunch; but whack 'em good and hard."

 

CHAPTER XX

SUCH GLORIOUS LUCK

Paul walked down the street, swinging the baseball bat carelessly, and
softly whistling to himself.

He left the street on which his chum's house fronted, and presently came
to his own thoroughfare.

"H'm!" he said to himself, as he boldly turned in here; "looks kind of
half dark for a fact; but that always suits fellows up to a mean dodge. I
musn't hit too hard, for this is an awful tough old bat, that has brought
me in more than a few home-runs. Well, it's helping me make one now," and
he actually snickered at the conceit.

As he advanced he braced himself for the expected fray. Of old he knew
Ted Slavin was a muscular fellow, capable of enforcing obedience from his
slavish followers.

What was that? He certainly heard the sound of voices a little further
along. And somehow one of them seemed to give Paul a strange feeling;
for he was positive that it was a girl's tones; and he recognized them
too!

Ward Kenwood was taking Arline home; and for some unknown reason chose to
select this very street as a part of his route, although it was a little
out of the way.

How strange that they should all come together just at that very
identical spot, where the trio of ambushed boys were crouching, ready to
spring out.

Ah! Paul caught sight of something moving close by. He felt sure that it
must be the concealed fellows, launching their boom. Yes, now he could
make out their figures as they emerged from the bushes on the jump.

Some one screamed. It must be Arline, frightened by the appearance of
these ugly, uncouth forms dancing upon the pavement.

Instantly the greatest confusion existed, with the ambushers attacking
Paul, to shout in consternation when he began to thump them heartily on
the legs and backs with his baseball bat; and the girl standing there
trying to shut out, with her clasped hands, the strange sight, seen so
dimly in the half darkness.

The patter of feet down the street told only too well where her protector
had gone; but he was valiantly calling lustily for help as he ran.

Met by such a determined opposition, overwhelmed by the shower of punches
and whacks that seemed to be freighted with painful reminders; and
startled by the cries of the fleeing Ward, not to mention the little
shrieks of Arline, the three boys who had been the cause of all this
excitement soon had enough.

"Skip out, fellers!" roared Ted, as he almost doubled up when the
swinging bat came with considerable force against his ribs.

The others were only too willing to obey. Away they clattered after the
fleeing Ward, who, hearing what he took to be a hot pursuit, let loose
more vigorously than ever, still crying for assistance.

Paul was laughing now, for the comical side of the thing seemed to have
occurred to him. He took out a match and struck it. As the light flamed
up, Arline, who had by now ceased her cries of alarm, possibly guessing
the truth, stared at the face of the victor.

"Oh! Paul! is it you?" she said; and somehow he seemed to understand that
she was more than glad of the opportunity to make up with him.

Boylike he pretended to hold back, and as the light went out, leaving
them once more in the gloom, he remarked:

"Yes, those fellows were lying in wait for me. They expected to give
me a sound thumping; but I was warned and ready. I'm sorry that you were
annoyed by the row, Miss Blair. I'll stay here with you until your
company comes back. I think he must have gone for help!" this with some
bitterness and scorn.

She moved closer to him. Possibly the darkness made her afraid; and then
again some other cause may have influenced her.

Paul felt her hand on his arm, and was thrilled when she said:

"Please don't mention him to me again. Oh! what a miserable coward, to
run off and leave a girl that way. Won't _you_ take me home, Paul?"

He could not say anything for a minute, he was so overcome. And perhaps
Arline thought he must still be angry because she had treated him so
shabbily of late.

"Please, please do, Paul. I want to tell you how sorry I am for believing
what came to me in a roundabout way. I'll never forgive myself, never!"
she went on, clinging to his arms.

Paul could hold out no longer.

"Of course I will, Arline, and glad of the chance. Come on before anybody
hurries out to see what all this noise means."

So they walked down the street together, Paul with his faithful bat
tucked under one arm, and a pretty girl clinging, oh! so confidingly
to the other.

But the boys of Stanhope often made more or less of a noise on the
streets after dark, being filled with exurberant spirits; and so no one
thought it worth while to investigate what all the racket meant.

Paul heard what had been carried to the ears of Arline, and had no
trouble in proving to her complete satisfaction that he was entirely
innocent of the charge.

"And to think that I allowed myself to believe it," said the girl, almost
crying; "oh! Paul, will you ever forgive me? Nothing can ever make me
listen to anything wrong about you again. I wonder if he had a hand in
hatching that wretched story up. If I knew it I would tell him to his
face what I thought of him!"

"You mean Ward. Please don't do that. I really can't believe any fellow
would be so mean and low. It must have been just accident that coupled my
name with that affair. But I'm satisfied if you say we're going to be
just as good friends as ever," Paul said, warmly.

"Better than ever, I hope, Paul. I've had my lesson. It will never happen
again, I promise you," she answered, pressing his arm as she spoke.

So Paul saw her safely to her door, and then said good-night; but Arline
insisted upon shaking hands with him; and the tingle of his fingers as he
walked down the street made him laugh with joy.

"What luck!" he kept saying to himself, as he made out to shake his own
hand; "and what a mess of it Ward made of his chances. He thought to have
the laugh on me if we met, and here the shoe is on the other foot. Oh!
I'm not complaining a little bit. Everything's coming my way now."

Nothing further happened on his way home. But when he reached the house
his father met him with the announcement that Jack was holding the wire,
and waiting for him.

"On deck there!" he said, briskly, and heard an exclamation of relief.

"How is it, Paul? Anything doing? Seemed to me I heard an awful racket
over your way; but the nine-forty train was just coming in at the
station, and drowned it out. Did they tackle you, son?" demanded Jack,
eagerly.

"Did they? Well, I guess some! Ask Ted," chuckled the one addressed.

"You're laughing, and that tells me you enjoyed the circus. What did you
do to poor old Ted and his cronies, Paul?" entreated the other.

"I could tell you easier what I didn't do to 'em, Jack. I gave the boys
about every style of punch and jab I could think of, and with my home-run
bat too. Oh! make up your mind they're going to be a sore lot in the
morning. And if you run up against Ted, just sniff the air for arnica. My
word for it, he'll empty the bottle to-night on his bruises."

"Bully! bully! and again bully! I would have rushed to assist you only
you made me promise to keep my hands off; and you're my superior officer,
you see. Besides, I reckoned that with such a hunky-dory bat you'd be
able to give just pie, which you did, Paul."

"But the half hasn't been told yet," went on the narrator.

"What! do you mean there's a sequel to this story?" asked Jack, burning
with eagerness apparently, to hear.

"I guess that's what it is. Listen. Ward was just taking a young lady
home. He chose to pass along our street, though now he wishes he hadn't;
for they arrived just when Ted and his backers jumped out of the bushes.
She screamed, and her escort sprinted down the street for help. After I
had punched and pounded the three Hallowe'en left-overs from last year
until they faded away, I had the pleasure of seeing the young lady to her
door, yum! yum!"

"Hurrah! and I bet all differences are patched up again between you!"
cried Jack.

"Everything is lovely, and the goose hangs high," sang Paul.

"Meaning poor old blundering Ward. He showed himself for a coward to
the girl he's sweet on. Oh! my, oh! me, how is the mighty fallen.
Congratulations, good friend, and then more of them. So the clouds have
disappeared along your horizon, just as they did on mine. I only wish I'd
had a hand in clearing your skies."

"So you did. You kept that baseball bat of mine until the right minute
came. Only for that my name might have been mud," laughed Paul.

"And if you'd only open your heart now, and give me a hint about the
fellow you believe has been playing that trick on me with my old
coins--"

"Just you wait a little. It's coming soon. So-long!" and with a click the
connection was cut off.

 

CHAPTER XXI

THE MEETING

"How are you, Paul?"

It was Mr. Jared Pender who came out of the post-office as Paul happened
to be passing the next day, and addressed the boy he had met on the
preceding evening at the house of the Stormways.

"Why, how do you do, Mr. Pender? Been at work, I see," replied Paul, with
a suggestive look in the direction of the post-office.

The tall dark gentleman looked a little perplexed, and followed Paul's
glance. Then an expression of understanding passed over his face.

"Ah! yes, I see, you are a good guesser, Paul. But please do not mention
the fact to any one. We Government officials sometimes have to work
_sub rosa_, as the saying is; that means without any one knowing what we
are at. You understand, Paul?"

"Yes, sir, I guess I do; but I hope there's nothing wrong here at our
post-office. We all think the world of Mr. Mygatt, and his clerks," said
Paul.

"Oh! don't mention such a thing. We have to investigate many times just
to discover how smoothly things are going on. Isn't that Jack's dog
coming out with a package of papers in his mouth? Has he actually been
down for the mail?" went on the gentleman.

"That's Carlo, all right. Sometimes they give him the mail when there are
no letters, as you see."

"And will he carry the bundles home safely, without stopping to play with
other dogs, or to fight?"

"Oh! Carlo knows his duty. He never forgets what is expected of him.
There, sir, look at him halting for a minute at the open door of the
butcher shop, to wag his tail, and peep in. It smells mighty inviting to
him, I wager; but will he go in? Not much. See, there he goes along,
heading straight for home. If another dog picked a fight with him, Carlo
would lay that package down, give the cur a good licking, then pick the
papers up again, and trot along."

"I see you know his traits well, Paul," remarked the gentleman, smiling.

"Some of them, but not all. He's a great dog, all right, and Jack's fond
of him."

"I suppose money couldn't buy him, then?" suggested Mr. Pender.

"It would be useless to try it, sir, I think. Will you stay long with Mr.
Stormways?"

"That I cannot say. My business may be completed in a day, and it may
keep me in this vicinity for a week. That depends on circumstances. You
have been around more or less, Paul; do you happen to remember seeing a
large red touring car, with a khaki-colored cover, and occupied by two
men, one of whom has a glass eye?"

Paul stared at the tall gentleman, as though he thought at first the
other might be joking him; but seeing not a ripple of a smile on the dark
face, he changed his mind.

"Why, no, sir; I can't seem to remember seeing that particular car. Of
course red ones are common; but most of them have black tops, if any at
all. Some friends of yours, Mr. Pender?" he remarked, naturally.

The gentleman allowed just a twinkle to appear in the corners of his eyes
as he nodded his head, and said:

"Well, er--yes, very particular friends of mine, Paul, and whom I would
be glad to see again right now. If you happen to sight such a machine,
and I am still at my old friend, Stormways, I wish you would let me know
about it."

"I certainly will, sir; and perhaps you'd like me to speak to the
gentlemen, and tell them how anxious you are to see them?" Paul went on;
at which the other gave a laugh.

"I see you are on to me, my boy. You guess that such is the very last
thing I would want you to do. Now, I'm going to take you into my
confidence, Paul," he went on, bending his head lower, and giving a quick
glance around.

"Yes, sir; that's very kind of you, Mr. Pender," said the lad, smiling.

"Oh! I don't know. I have an axe to grind in doing so; for I believe
that you can be of assistance to me. The two men in that motor car are
criminals, for whose capture I have come to this part of the country,
Paul."

"Goodness! that sounds interesting, sir. What have they been doing?"
asked the young scout leader, with boyish curiosity brimming over.

"I won't tell you that, Paul; but they are wanted by the Government. And
sometimes we agents have to go about our business with great caution, in
order to discover enough evidence on the suspects to convict. So, above
all things, I do not wish to alarm these clever gentlemen unduly, lest
they manage to hide, or get rid of the only burden of proof. In other
words, as a common expression has it, I want to get them with the goods
on. You understand?"

"Yes, sir; I think I do. And if I see or hear anything about that red
car, I'll tell you. But is it true that you and Jack's father were chums
long ago?"

"That's the positive truth, my boy," replied the agent, nodding; "why, we
took several voyages together, and had lots of queer adventures. I never
dreamed that my wild old friend Alan would settle down to this humdrum
life, as a lumber merchant, and the head of a family. But I suppose it
all came of his meeting a girl. And after knowing his fine wife I don't
blame him a bit; though I've kept right along in the same old groove, and
see more or less of adventure."

"He's a mighty fine man, and they think lots of him here," declared Paul,
who was amazed to learn that his chum's parent could have, once upon a
time, been reckoned a wild blade.

Paul walked on with his lips puckered up as if whistling, and his face
filled with the new interest that had taken possession of him.

He had read accounts in the papers of Boy Scouts being concerned in many
useful enterprises; and he wondered whether he and his patrol might not
find a chance to assist the officers of justice in rounding up a couple
of rogues who had apparently broken the laws of the land.

Then other things came up to draw his attention elsewhere.

He ran across boys on the street, who asked dozens of questions about the
many interesting features of the new organization.

These were often lads who had begun to think of uniting with one of the
rival troops; and Paul was only too glad to give them all the information
in his power.

They wanted more recruits, provided the applicants were of the right
sort. Those their committee rejected might find solace in joining forces
with Ted's crowd, who, not being at all particular, would receive them
with open arms.

That afternoon there was another meeting in the woods, at which every
member of Stanhope Troop No 1, as they now determined to call their
organization, did his best to be present.

Paul had given several of the boys duties to perform, that were part and
parcel of the grand scheme to whip his company into first-class shape in
a shorter time than it had taken any other troop.

Reports were received and filed of numerous things done which would count
in the final summing up. These were to be accompanied by vouchers from
the persons interested, which could be filed away for inspection when the
committee appointed by the giver of the fine banner looked through the
records of the several patrols competing for the prize.

Andy Flinn and Philip Towns reported that they had cleaned up the
beautiful green in front of the town high school, and which was generally
known as the campus. It was kept mowed by the town authorities; but
numerous scraps of paper and trash, blowing hither and thither in the
wind, gave it an unsightly appearance.

"Never forget that you have taken our campus under your protecting care,
Numbers Three and Four of the Gray Fox patrol," said the head scout,
after reading the report; "of course it is always your privilege to
enlist smaller boys in the job, if you can do so without actually hiring
them. That is expressly forbidden."

Then came Wallace Carberry and Tom Betts, telling how they had started
a crusade to cover the entire town with receptacles to contain stray
rubbish. Half a dozen cans had already been ordered, each one of which
was to have in startling red letters the significant picture of a staring
eye, and followed by the words, "Eat Trash!"

"We've got a contribution box ready, and every scout is privileged to
drop in pennies and nickels that he has earned. No others accepted; and
no larger amount at one time from any boy desired. Have already enough to
pay for two of the cans; and hope to increase the order soon!"

Cheers greeted this announcement. Others, who had heard about the good
work being started by Numbers Seven and Eight of the Red Fox patrol,
arose to announce that their mothers had promised to throw all sorts of
opportunities for earning money in their way, if it was to be devoted
to such a fine purpose.

"The Women's Club is to bring this thing up at its next meeting. My
mother says it shames them to know that the boys of the town are taking
such a leading part in cleaning it up," said Bobolink, when he found an
opening.

"Who's next to report?" asked Jack, who had charge of this end of the
meeting; while the "honorable secretary" made notes, and filed away the
various papers submitted.

Immediately all eyes were turned toward Bobolink and Bluff, which team
was known as Three and Four.

Bluff started to rise, when a groan greeted him; but he was not dismayed.

"Our r-r-report will be d-d-delivered b-b-by my c-c-confederate!" he
simply said, and subsided with a grin, as though he thought he had
hoodwinked his friends.

Bobolink arose slowly. When he chose he could be very tantalizing; though
in an emergency none might excel him in speedy action. But when he had
something to tell that he knew was being eagerly awaited, he liked to
keep his chums in suspense just as long as he dared.

Immediately all sounds died away. Every one seemed to know that Numbers
Three and Four had been delegated to attempt an actual scouting trip that
morning, into a hostile territory, so as to learn what progress a rival
camp was making in the various degrees of efficiency.

They had already heard about Manchester, and a few believed that they
would have little difficulty in excelling that town when it came down
to an actual test.

With Aldine it was different. From all sources had come hints to the
effect that the troop in that town was working most faithfully, with an
eye on that coveted banner. And every scout in Paul's patrol felt wild to
know how much truth there might be in these reports.

 

CHAPTER XXII

SCOUTING IN EARNEST

"Hurry up, old molasses! Winter's coming."

"Hit up the pace, won't you, please, Bobby?"

Bobolink grinned. This was apparently just what he liked. When, however,
he saw a restless movement among some of the more impatient, as though
they were stooping down to gather chips to shy at him, he knew the time
had come to open those sphinx-like lips, and speak.

"Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen," he began, when a roar interrupted
him, so that he pretended to hastily remedy his error--"I mean just
gentlemen; I have the honor to report that your committee waited on the
brothers of the Aldine troop, though unbeknown to their keenest scouts,
and watched the entire operations at their called meeting this morning."

"Good! Fine! Keep it up, Old Leatherstocking!"

"We learned that they are working like mad to excel in all the arts that
interest the scouting fraternity. Competitions were being run off in
every branch of the woodcraft business. We saw fires started, camps made,
trails followed, boats mended, fish flies tied, rods that had been made
by single members; we heard of all sorts of clever things that were being
done in Aldine that would give the troop marks in the grand round-up. We
listened to splendid speeches from the really efficient scout master, and
our hearts warmed within us toward the gallant foe against whom we must
soon be pitted; just as our bones ached because we had to squat there
high up in that tree over their camp, like a couple of roosting monkeys."

"Hear! hear! Bully for our monkeys! They're all to the good!" shouted
some of the more demonstrative boys, waving their hats wildly.

Bobolink stopped to give a few melancholy dabs at his thighs, just as
though they still ached from the long service in the tree; while Bluff
managed to emit a series of sympathetic groans.

Then the orator took up his theme again; and when Bobolink chose he could
even run Wallace Carberry a warm race on the school rostrum.

"Some people might think that it was hardly fair in us to spy on our
rivals; but we are running our troop under strictly military rules. It's
always fair to try and find out what you are going to be up against when
entering a competition. We are badly handicapped, because both of these
other troops in the county have been working all summer; and we've got to
come up from behind in our attempt to capture the prize. That's right,
isn't it, fellows?"

"Sure! We only want to know if they're going to make a big fight; or
whether they expect to have a walk-over. Besides, I happen to know that
there was a Bald Eagle from Aldine watching us work yesterday. He had
a field glass, and was hidden where he could see all that went on."

It was Jud Elderkin who made this astonishing declaration; and what he
said created quite a stir among the assembled scouts.

"All right. We didn't go there expecting to steal any of their thunder,
fellows," said Bobolink.

"Of course not," asserted the nearest scouts.

"Well, how did you find it?" demanded William.

"I didn't see that they had anything on us. Of course they did lots of
things better, because they've had a heap more experience; but there's
time between now and Thanksgiving for the scouts of the Stanhope troop to
get a move on, and shake all rivals out of their boots. That's all," and
Bobolink made a sudden duck to get out of the lime-light.

"Hurrah! Well done, Three and Four of the Red Fox patrol! Whenever we've
got any more climbing to do, we know where to get the monkeys!" cried
William, with a mock bow in the direction of the blushing Bluff, and the
grinning Bobolink.

"I congratulate the scouts on the way they carried out their mission. It
was worthy of the annals of Cooper. May I ask how they learned just where
the camp of the Aldine Troop was to be pitched?" asked Paul.

Bluff was no longer to be repressed; but sprang erect.

"I d-d-discovered that they always w-w-went to a p-p-particular
p-p-place; and w-w-when we s-s-saw that noble tree, why, we j-j-just
l-l-looked at each other, and s-s-shook hands. Then we c-c-climbed up
before the f-f-first eagle f-f-flew that way. T-t-thank you gentlemen
f-f-for your k-k-kind attention."

"Wow! he got that in pat, all right. When Bluff makes up his mind to
hustle he can beat the band. I move a vote of thanks to these most
efficient scouts," said Wallace, pushing forward.

They were given with a will; after which other reports came to show what
was being accomplished in numerous lines.

The troop photographers produced their prints, which were passed around
for examination, and brought forth an abundance of good words. To see
themselves in the new suits of khaki made many a fellow's heart thrill
with pride.

"We must have a meeting every day up to the beginning of school,"
declared the acting scout master, finally; "for these busy Eagles have
stolen a march on us while we slept; and we've just got to hustle now to
catch up."

"But we've got some mighty fine things to our credit already, and don't
you forget it, boys. I haven't heard of a horse being stopped, and a
child's life saved over in Aldine or Manchester," declared Wallace, with
a proud glance toward Paul.

"Or any account of the rival troops attending a fire in a body, and
working to beat the band until their new uniforms were next to ruined,"
spoke up Nuthin'.

"I guess the boys of Manchester must feel pretty small when they listen
to the story of how a Red Fox scout walked right into a burning building,
and snatched up a baby that had been forgotten; hey, how about that,
fellers?" shouted William, pointing his finger at Jack.

"We're hitting up the pace. We're going strong, and bound to make things
hustle right up to Thanksgiving Day! Every fellow do his level best to
bring that banner home to Stanhope!" cried Jud Elderkin.

"We can do it!" yelled half a dozen in chorus.

"Why, its easy money, boys. Just organized, and not a second class scout
in the troop yet, but look at what we've done. Give us a little time,
and we're going to make the Beavers and Bald Eagles, and all the rest
of 'em, sit up and take notice!" avowed Nuthin'.

"And wait until you hear the inspiring sound of my bugle, which I expect
to have at the next meeting," said Bobolink, proudly.

"Huh! that won't h-h-hold a c-c-candle to my d-d-drum!" declared Bluff,
waving his arms wildly, as though he could already imagine the great fun
in store when that instrument came to hand.

And so the meeting broke up, with the scouts disbanding for the day. Some
lingered to try once more the various stunts that interested them most.
It seemed as if every fellow's heart might be wrapped up in the desire to
win that coveted trophy, and bring the banner to his home town.

Strange to say there had not been a single mention of the other Stanhope
organization. None of them believed that Ted and Ward would be able to
make the least show in the competition. They knew the habits of these
fellows only too well. As a rule, they never won, save through trickery;
and in the eyes of the committee appointed by the donor of the banner,
anything that smacked of double dealing would be rigidly barred from the
game.

Paul and Jack, as usual, walked home together, arm in arm.

As the recognized leaders in the movement that had so lately struck the
boys of Stanhope, they must always have much to talk over.

Besides that, they had their own personal affairs to discuss.

"Well," said Jack, finally, when they found that they were alone, the
nearest comrades being far behind on the road; "the four coins are still
there in the snug little box, Paul."

His companion looked quickly at him.

"You carried out my suggestion then?" he asked.

"Yes. The door has been closed and locked all day. Even the window was
shut down and fastened," replied Jack.

"That made the little den as tight as a drum, eh?" laughed his chum.

"I should say it did. If any one got in there to-day he would have to
slip through the keyhole," came from Jack.

"Unless he happened to have a duplicate key," Paul went on, seriously.
"And since you found the four coins there that could hardly have
happened. Sure you counted four, are you?"

"That's positive," returned his companion; "but to tell the truth I did
get a little scare. At first I counted only three."

"But you found the fourth all right, Jack?"

"Oh! yes," replied the other. "It was gummed fast to the side of the box.
I had to scrape it off before I put it back. But when do you mean to tell
me what you know about this strange affair, Paul?"

"I guess to-morrow," answered his chum.

"Bully for you. I'll be glad to get it off my mind. What do you want me
to do, Paul, in the meantime?"

"Nothing," came the ready response.

"Shall I leave the den shut up as it is, then?" demanded Jack.

"Until I see you in the morning, yes," laughed Paul. "Don't be surprised
if I pop in on you unexpectedly. Perhaps I may not want any one to see me
go in your house, and so I might come by the back door."

Jack looked at him in a whimsical way and shook his head.

"You've got me guessing, all right, my boy," he declared.

Paul instantly changed the subject, after a way he had.

"The boys are getting on fine in that water boiling test, aren't they?
Four had it in nine minutes, and Wallace beat his own record by nearly
half a minute. That is going to be one thing Stanhope must excel in," he
said.

"Yes," remarked Jack, falling in readily enough with his companion's
desire to "talk shop," "and those photographs couldn't well be beaten.
What a lot of new and interesting facts some of the trackers have dug out
of the trails they followed. The papers read fine. Paul, I really begin
to believe we're going to make a strong bid for that banner."

Paul did not reply, and on Jack turning his head to ascertain why, he
found his chum staring at a red automobile that had just whizzed past!

It had a khaki-colored top!

 

CHAPTER XXIII

THE RED CAR

"What's the matter with you, Paul?"

Jack asked this question, for of course he could not understand why his
chum should take such a deep interest in any automobile that passed them
on the road.

"Did you happen to see inside that red car as it went by?" asked Paul,
turning eagerly on his friend.

"Why, er--yes, I did chance to be looking over your shoulders just then;
I was a little afraid the wheels might graze you," admitted Jack.

"Do you know the machine, then?" asked the other, in some suspense.

"Don't believe I ever saw it before; but then, what of that? Don't dozens
pass along here every day, that come up from the city? It's common to see
a strange car, even if it has got a khaki-colored top, instead of a plain
black one. Hey, Paul! what ails you?" demanded Jack.

"It wasn't Colonel Strange, was it?" asked the other; for the gentleman
mentioned happened to possess a red auto.

"Of course it wasn't, because his car has a black top; and besides,
neither of the two men was the fat colonel," replied Jack, immediately.

Paul had learned something already.

"Then there were two men in it, you say?" he went on, casually, as though
much of his interest had abated.

"Yes, and one of them was staring at me to beat the band. Perhaps he has
lost a boy, and thinks I look like him. Don't let him kidnap me, will
you, Paul?" went on Jack with pretended anxiety, as he clung to his
companion's arm.

"Say, look there, the car's stopped. I believe they're waiting for us!"
declared Paul, in some excitement.

"Well, that's what gave me such a scare, you see. That's why I'm shaking
all over, Paul. But in union there is strength; and I'm going to hang on
to you, if he tries to coax me to get aboard. I'm not in the long lost
class."

"Oh! come along, and let's see what they want. He's leaning over the top
now, and keeps beckoning to us."

Paul started on a run. He could feel his heart beating very hard; indeed
it was strange, he thought, that his companion did not hear it pounding
away, and make some sort of remark.

The chance that he had been hoping for seemed to be within his grasp. Not
only had he discovered a car that answered the description of the one
mentioned by Mr. Pender; but the occupants were plainly desirous of
obtaining information of some sort, and had selected him and Jack as the
ones most likely to give it.

As he hurried on, he tried to control himself. It would never do to show
more than natural curiosity in his actions. If these two men were the
ones the gentleman stopping at Jack's house wanted to find, they must be
smart enough to read his secret, unless he took warning.

No sooner had he come abreast of the car than looking up he found himself
staring into the dark face of a man who had a cruel look about him. What
thrilled Paul, however, was the fact that one of his eyes was undoubtedly
artificial. He had guessed this fact when Jack stated that the party
_stared_ so at him.

All doubt was gone now, and he understood that by the strangest of luck
he had come upon the parties for whom Mr. Pender was searching. The
official must have known that they were headed this way for some purpose
or other.

"Live around here, bub?" asked the man with the glass eye, as he looked
piercingly at Paul.

"Yes, sir; in Stanhope," replied the boy, surprised himself to find how
steady his voice turned out to be under the trying circumstances.

"How far ahead is that place?" continued the man.

"About half a mile, sir. You can see the steeple of the Methodist church
after you turn that bend ahead," and Paul pointed with a steady finger.

"Huh! I wonder now if either of you happen to know a Mr. Solus Smithers?"
and as he put the question the man shot a quick glance toward his
companion; at which the shorter party nodded his big head, and grinned
approvingly.

Paul turned to his chum.

"Say, Jack, isn't that the name of the man who took the old Grimes farm
up at the milldam?" he asked, though he knew positively that it was so.

"Smithers--why, yes, I reckon it is. Is he a tall man, with a hooked
nose; and does he dip snuff?" queried Jack, innocently enough.

"That's Solus to a dot. You see, boys, he's from North Caroliny, where
even the wimmen use snuff, only they rub it on their teeth with a stick.
Now, mebbe one of you boys would be so obligin' as to direct us to the
shortest way to where this old mill stands," continued the man with the
bogus orb.

"I guess the quickest way to get there is to drive through Stanhope, and
pick up the Deerfield road on the other side. It's only a few miles off;
but the road turns lots of times to avoid the hills."

Paul noted that the taller man seemed to invariably look to his companion
for support. It was as though they worked in common, and neither wished
to become responsible for action without the other's assent.

After an interchange of low words, which the boys did not catch, the
spokesman once more turned around. He held a silver half dollar in his
hand.

"Here's something for your trouble, boys. But look here, ain't there
another way to get to that old abandoned mill without going through the
town? To tell you the truth we lost our number away back, and might get
hauled up because we can't show a tag on the back of the car."

Paul had already noticed this significant fact. It is the business of a
scout to take note of even trifles. One of the tests of memory is to look
in at a store window for just one full minute; and then, going away, make
out as complete a list of articles it contained as is possible.

And still, he did not believe that this was the true reason these men
disliked passing through Stanhope if it could be avoided. Perhaps they
had some suspicion that Mr. Pender was visiting there; and did not want
to take chances of his meeting them face to face.

"Sure there is," broke in Jack, who saw no reason why he should not
believe the artful excuse given; for Jack did not know all his chum had
learned about these parties; "after you pass the bend yonder, just turn
to the left. You can't miss the road, for its got a big maple tree right
at the junction. We call that the Grapevine Road, because it twists and
turns so; but it will fetch you out right at the old dam, mister."

Many a time had Jack himself walked along that same winding path when
coming home with a string of bass, taken in the mill pond. It was longer,
to be sure, but there were some fine apple trees on the way; and the walk
through the dense woods was so much more enjoyable on a hot summer day
than the open stretch that marked the other route.

The man flipped the coin in the air, and as it fell at Paul's feet he
felt constrained to stoop and pick it up. To do anything else might have
aroused the suspicions of the man who stared. And at the worst it meant
another contribution toward the various funds which the boys were raising
for many purposes.

Boys as a rule have little objection about receiving "tainted money." And
while Paul understood that these men had been breaking some of the laws
of the land, he was not supposed to know the particular way in which
their money had been gained.

"Much obliged for the information, boys; and please don't report us in
town as being short a license tag. We'll get a new one just as quick as
we can. So-long!"

As the shorter fellow started the machine his companion waved his hand at
the two chums on the road, both of whom of course returned the salute.

Jack watched his friend out of the corner of his eye as they walked on.
Perhaps he was entertaining a dim suspicion that Paul might be keeping
something from him.

But he asked no questions; and the other volunteered no information. A
scout is supposed to know when to hold his tongue, especially when in
the company of his superior officer; and so Jack let the matter drop.

"See, they've turned in, all right, Paul," he said, as he pointed to the
broad marks of heavy tires leaving the main road, and passing under the
spreading maple that stood at the junction with the Grapevine.

"That's so," returned Paul, apparently not in the least interested; and
yet as they continued to walk briskly toward home he frequently turned a
wistful look over his left shoulder, as in fancy his thoughts followed
those two strangers up to the old farmhouse at the mill pond.

Who was this Solus Smithers? Could he be in league with these two men
whom the Government expert was sent to watch? Paul remembered that he had
heard several people talking about the man and his ways. He seemed to
have plenty of money, yet he made no effort to farm the place he had
rented that summer.

As soon as they reached town he started to accompany his chum home,
hoping to have an opportunity to see Mr. Pender in secret.

Catching sight of that gentleman walking down for the evening mail,
he made some excuse and broke away from Jack; who looked after him in
bewilderment, grieved because Paul, for once, seemed to be keeping some
secret from him.

Mr. Pender presently came out of the post-office. He had a letter in his
hand, and was apparently much displeased at what it had contained.

"Why, hello! Paul, my boy! Glad to see you. How is the patrol coming on?
Some day you must allow me to watch your manoeuvers up there in the
woods. I'm deeply interested in all such goings-on, you know," he said,
shaking hands, heartily.

"Yes, sir; I'll ask the boys for permission to invite you," began Paul.

"Were you looking for me, my boy?" asked the other suddenly, his keen
eyes having doubtless detected something in the manner of the young
scout master that gave him his idea.

"Yes, sir, I was," replied the one addressed.

"I wonder now if, on the top of bad news from Washington, you could be
about to bring me new hope. Have you learned anything you want to tell
me, Paul?"

"I've seen that red auto, and talked with the gentleman who has the glass
eye!" said the boy, trying in vain to keep his eager voice from trembling
with excitement.

 

CHAPTER XXIV

A CALL FOR HELP

Mr. Pender swooped down and seized Paul's hand, which he squeezed so
heartily that he almost made the tears come to the boy's eyes.

"That sounds good to me, my boy. Please tell me about it. Where was it at
the time? And do you think it can have gone beyond Stanhope? I hope you
didn't give the gentleman any idea that you had ever heard a word about
him or his car?"

"Oh! I give you my word, sir, that they never dreamed I knew a thing
about them. A scout has to learn how to keep his feelings in check, you
see, Mr. Pender. I acted just as naturally as Jack did; and he knew
nothing."

"Well, tell me about it now, please."

Stopping at the corner, Paul started in to relate all the incidents
connected with that meeting on the road. The gentleman hung upon every
word. He certainly looked pleased, and Paul realized that he had done
something worth while. To his credit be it said that never once had he
entertained the thought of receiving any sort of reward for his services.

"All this is of the greatest importance to me, my boy. I am frank to
tell you that the successful capture of those two men you have so ably
described, thanks to your scout training, will mean much to me. And
depend upon it, if success rewards my efforts, I shall certainly remember
that you gave me very valuable assistance in the undertaking."

"Then you think I might have a reward, don't you, Mr. Pender?" he said.

"I most positively do, and right now and here I'm willing to promise
you--"

"Wait a little, Mr. Pender. There's only one thing you could do to pay me
for the little assistance I have been to you. Some time later on, after
you get back to Washington, write me a letter on your official paper,
stating just what aid the Boy Scouts of the Red Fox patrol were to you
in furthering the ends of justice. That's all any of us could accept,
sir."

"By Jove! I'm proud to know such boys, and proud to shake hands
with the fine scout leader at their head!" exclaimed the Government
representative, as he cordially thrust out his digits.

But "once bit, twice shy"; and Paul shook his head as he caressed his
fingers.

"Excuse me, won't you, Mr. Pender; but once at a time is enough. I expect
to have a lot of use for my right hand to-night, sir," he laughed.

"Oh! pardon me, my dear boy!" cried the other, "I was forgetting that it
wasn't the hand of a tiller of the soil I squeezed. I'll be more careful
next time. But your news was so unexpected, coming at a moment when I had
received some depressing information by mail, that I quite forgot myself.
Please continue to keep these facts to yourself for a little while
longer, Paul."

"Yes, sir; until you give me leave to speak I won't tell anybody, not
even my own folks at home. And if we are so fortunate as to get that
letter from you, Stanhope Troop will have a big advantage over other
competitors. You know, sir, we are competing for an elegant banner; and
the other patrols have been working all summer; so that we've just got to
get busy if we hope to have a show in."

"I don't care if they've been going along a year, I'd be willing to wager
that Stanhope will win the prize. That shows what faith I put in the
leader of the Red Fox patrol. Nothing is going to ever hold you back. I
can see the spirit glowing right now in your eyes," and Mr. Pender nodded
his head wisely as he said this.

Paul turned red under the praise.

Mr. Pender was apparently anxious to know all he could about the place
around the abandoned mill.

"Have you seen this party named Solus Smithers?" he asked, presently, as
they walked slowly on in company.

"Yes, sir; several times. He's a very tall and thin man, with a face I
never liked. He's driven some of us boys away from the mill pond this
last summer. We have always fished there, and nobody ever said a word;
but he acted as if he had an idea some of us would steal his old house.
He even brought out a gun once, and warned three fellows off. After a
while no one cared to go up there. Some of the boys even said they
believed the old man was daffy, and that he might shoot if anybody made
him real mad."

"Oh! yes; I see; and he didn't want trespassers on his farm, eh? Does the
mill pond stand on the ground he's rented?" asked the gentleman.

"Oh! yes, and all the ground around there. It must cover four hundred
acres, but most of it is in woodland, you see, sir," replied Paul,
promptly.

"Can you tell me what Smithers looks like, Paul?"

"He's very tall, stoops quite a lot, uses snuff like they do down in
North Carolina, and has small blue eyes and a queer nose. Some of the
boys say it looks as if it had been broken. That man in the red car knew
it when Jack called it a hooked nose, sir."

Mr. Pender slapped his thigh as though in great glee.

"Well, this is great luck, sure enough. From your description I believe
that I know this Mr. Solus Smithers, though that isn't his name at all.
It keeps on getting better and better, the deeper I grub. And if all
turns out well, I shall owe you a heavy debt, my dear boy."

"Make it up in that letter then, sir. The stronger the better. And if you
happen to need any further assistance don't hesitate to call on us. We've
got some dandy trackers in the Red Fox patrol; and it would have to be a
pretty smart fellow to pull the wool over their eyes, sir."

"Good for you, Paul," said the gentleman, warmly; "always ready to sound
the trumpet for your comrades; but if the truth were told I reckon I'd
find the scout leader at the top of the bunch when it came to a knowledge
of woodcraft."

"Please don't, sir," pleaded Paul.

"Jack has been confiding to me all about how you've always been deeply
interested in outdoor life," went on Mr. Pender; "but as you have told
me all you know about this red car that has gone along the Grapevine
Road, headed for the old mill pond, I believe I'll have to leave you.
Take my hand, won't you, Paul? I promise to be good, and not put on
pressure, though my heart is very warm toward you, lad."

So Mr. Pender hurried away.

Paul turned back. He had noticed an air of unusual excitement inside the
post-office, and his curiosity was stirred. While Mr. Pender and his
strange mission was in the foreground, of course, he had been able to pay
little attention to anything else; but now that this was shelved he could
not resist the inclination to return, and ask what made the people stand
around in knots as though exchanging views.

He discovered Ted Slavin and three of his friends jabbering away just
inside the door, and heard one of them exclaim:

"Course we will go along; it'd be a big feather in our cap, fellers, if
we'd be the ones to bring him back."

"Yes, send out word for the boys to get together, Ted. We'll show 'em
what we fellers that has hunted since we was knee high, know about
follerin' a trail!" another remarked.

"Let up, you; d'ye want to give the whole snap away? See who's here!"
whispered Ted; but in such a hoarse tone of voice that Paul could not
help hearing.

Of course his curiosity was still further aroused. Whatever could have
happened in quiet Stanhope, to cause all this gathering of people, and
such earnest consultations?

He saw Chief Billings, who was in charge of the police force in the town,
leaving the post-office, and noted that a large delegation trailed after
him.

Could it be possible that the local authorities had in some manner become
aware of the fact that law breakers were abroad in the land? Was Mr.
Jared Pender, the Government expert, about to have rivals in the field?
When those cronies of Ted spoke of following a trail could they have had
any reference to the track of the wonderful red automobile with the
khaki-colored top; and occupied by the two parties whom Mr. Pender wished
to catch, as he said, "with the goods on?"

Paul hoped not. It would complicate things very much; and in the
confusion the rascals might manage to slip away. Paul had known Chief
Billings to undertake a clever piece of business before now; but never
succeed in accomplishing one.

Some one banged into him as he turned a corner in the building.

"Why, hello! Paul, that you?" said a voice.

It was Si Growdy, who claimed to be a nephew of old Peleg, but who had
never been known to be recognized by the crusty old farmer. He clerked
in one of the general stores, of which Stanhope boasted several big ones,
where everything, from a package of pins to a coffin could be purchased.

"What's all the row about, Si?" demanded the acting scout master, as he
seized hold of the clerk, to head him off; for Si seemed to be in a hurry
as usual; he worked for a man who was a driver, and had to give an
account of every minute of his time.

"Ain't you heard nawthin' about it, Paul? Where you ben all this
afternoon?" was the way the clerk answered one question with another.

"Up in the woods with the scouts, doing stunts. But tell me what's gone
wrong? Another robbery at the jewelry store; or has some one sneaked
away with one of the coffins your house carries?" pursued Paul.

"If anybody ever got off with a pin that didn't belong to 'em at our
emporium, the fact ain't never been known. I've seen the boss chargin'
customers with the cracker they eat when samplin'. We got orders to make
light weight if they buy. But about this rumpus; they's a child lost!"
said Si.

"Who's child?" asked Paul, instantly deeply interested.

"Mr. Boggs' little Willie. The Chief was just in to talk with him. He's
all broken up over it, because you know, he uses a crutch, and can't help
hunt."

Paul knew Mr. Boggs assisted the post-master in his duties; and many a
time had Paul chatted with the pretty little chap who played around the
building while his father was assorting the incoming mails. Willie Boggs
had always been a universal favorite. He was the sweetest child in all
Stanhope, and everybody loved him.

Paul was shocked at the news. Still, he hoped it might not be as bad as
Si said.

"Where did it happen? How do they know? Who saw little Willie last? What
has been done to find him?" he fired at the clerk like the discharge of
a Gatling gun.

"Glory! expect me to tell the hull story, with my boss asettin' there
inside the store, watchin' the clock, an' dockin' me for every minute I'm
late? All right, who cares? And besides, Paul, p'raps that troop of yours
might be useful in follerin' the tracks of poor little Willie," Si went
on.

"Where, when, how?" demanded the scout master, resolutely.

"This mornin' it happened. Willie went with Annie Spooner to get some
leaf mould in the edge of the woods, for her ma's flowers. She came back
just at noon an' sed Willie had strayed away in the woods."

"Did anybody go to look for Willie?" asked Paul.

"Three boys went out to bring him in. They hunted high an' low, but he
wa'n't there. Then a dozen people set out to search the woods. Just now
they come back to say Willie ain't to be found high nor low. That stirs
the big chief some. He 'low he knows how the thing's to be did; and so
he's agoin' to organize a hunt for the lost child. That's all. Now, let
me get back to my slave tasks, Paul."

"And night coming on," murmured Paul, as he looked out of the door to
where people were assisting the crippled Mr. Boggs across the square in
the direction of his nearby home, where his wife was no doubt waiting
eagerly for some news of the missing darling.

Si Growdy shot out of the door, and headed in the direction of the store
where he gave his valuable services daily from seven in the morning until
late in the evening, for a miserable pittance.

Paul walked thoughtfully out of the post-office. He was tired from his
exertions of the afternoon; but all that was immediately forgotten when
he mentally pictured the weeping mother in that little cottage where the
honeysuckle climbed above the door. Then he thought of the terror of the
little fellow, wandering about in the great woods with night coming down,
and all sorts of strange noises arising to chill his blood.

"I'll do it!" exclaimed Paul presently; "the chance is too good to be
lost. Why let Ted and Ward have the inside track? Just as soon as I can
send word around we'll test our new system of bringing a bunch of the
Fox scouts together. And then, if the boys are willing, we'll try and
discover where Willie Boggs has wandered. It's a glorious opportunity to
find out if what we've learned is worth having. Here goes then, to send
out the call for help!"

 

CHAPTER XXV

A CAMP IN THE WOODS

"Why, Paul, what's all this hurry mean?"

"I just want to get a few bites of supper, mother, and then rush off.
I've sent out the call for a hurry meeting of the patrol. Some people
call it the emergency signal. Every one of the scouts knows what it
means. Those who can get out will be gathering here inside of half an
hour."

"But it must be something very unusual that urges you to do this. You've
been on the go all afternoon, and I don't know that it is wise to bolt
your supper in such a style, just to be ready to greet the boys when they
arrive."

"Mother, you don't understand. Father hasn't come back from his afternoon
round of visits, has he? Then you couldn't possibly know," went on Paul.

"Know--what, my son?" questioned his mother, seeing that the boy was
worked up more than usual.

"We're going to organize a searching party. Perhaps some of the scouts
may be smart enough to get on the track. It's poor little Willie Boggs,
mother."

"Searching party--Willie Boggs! Is the child lost?"

"Yes, and has been ever since before noon, in the big woods. You see it's
just beginning to get dark now. Think of the poor little fellow wandering
perhaps miles off in the woods. What if a storm should come up?" and
Paul's manner told how he felt.

"But there are no wild animals large enough to injure the child. The most
he could suffer would be exposure to the night air; that and the fright
of finding himself alone. Oh! it is a terrible thing though; and little
Willie is all his poor father has left. It would kill him if anything
happened," declared the good lady, whose heart was very tender.

"Now you see why I'm in such a hurry to get a bite, mother. Every minute
might count, for perhaps he is wandering further and further away. You'll
let Jane get me something in a jiffy, won't you, now?" continued the
eager lad.

"Gladly, and help her too, after you have told me more. How do you boys
expect to look for the child in the blackness of those woods?"

"Every scout will carry a lantern, with which we have practiced signal
wig-wagging until we are able to send messages back and forth. Besides
that, we can form a long line across the woods, and comb nearly every bit
of it, looking into every stack of brush and waste to see if Willie has
lain down. And mother, think if we should just find him, how glad you'd
be that we went out!"

"Indeed, I should! I shall pray that you succeed, my boy. And it does you
great credit that you are so earnest in your desire to help others. Sit
down, and I'll wait on you myself," and Mrs. Morrison bustled away toward
the kitchen as she spoke.

As Paul was hastily devouring his supper, for he was as hungry as a wolf,
who should come in but the doctor. And of course he had to be told;
though Paul's mother took this task upon herself, giving the boy a chance
to eat.

Through the window Paul could see that already several fellows had
gathered; and other lanterns were meanwhile coming like giant fireflies
through the gathering gloom of the night.

The prospect of bringing his scout troop into action for such a good
cause was particularly pleasing to the boy who temporarily filled the
office of leader. Spurred to do their very best by a recollection of the
vows they had so recently taken, the members of Stanhope Troop might be
depended on to bring credit to their organization.

By the time Paul issued from the house there were a full dozen of his
chums present. He was glad to see that all the original charter members
forming the Red Fox patrol were on hand. They happened to live closer
than others who had joined later; and boys of a particular community
generally flock together.

Immediately a great hubbub ensued. Those who did not know what all the
fuss was about had to be "put wise," as William said. And Paul was called
upon to explain his plans for the tracking of little Willie Boggs, who
had become as a chip on the torrent, a wanderer in that mysterious
forest, the end of which few Stanhope fellows had ever reached in their
wanderings up over the hills.

There were now fourteen present, and Paul determined not to wait for any
more of the troop to come to time.

"Fall in!"

Down the street they marched, the lanterns flickering as they swung to
and fro.

No wonder people, rushing to the doors as shouts arose, began to ask
eagerly if the lost child had been recovered.

"It's the Boy Scouts; and they're going out to join the hunt!" some one
shouted.

"Oh! they're about a mile behind Ted and his crowd!" jeered one fellow
who must have had leanings toward the Slavin party; he had been detected
in cheating so often in every game boys played that for months now he
found himself left severely alone by decent fellows, and it was reported
had applied for admission to the patrol Ward and Ted were getting up.

Out of the town, and straight to the spot where the lost boy had last
been seen Paul led his squad. He knew that it would be only a miracle if
the many feet that had trod the ground over would have left any trace of
the child's little shoes; but he still had hopes that the training some
of his scouts possessed would bring more or less success.

The unique sight of all those lanterns on the road had attracted many
people, so that when they arrived at the spot Paul had in mind, fully
thirty followed, a number of them boys who came only to make sport of the
scouts.

"Spread out, fellows," said the scout leader, quietly, "and examine every
foot of ground. If you find a single impression of Willie's little shoe,
give the signal, and I'll come; but hold your places every one."

Immediately the scene became an animated one. Lanterns flashed hither
and thither, swinging close to the ground; while young eyes searched
diligently for a trace.

In less than five minutes the signal sounded, and Paul hurried over to
the one who had given the same. Jack was at his elbow, and between them
they examined the mark, to ascertain in what quarter it pointed.

Then the advance was taken up in that direction.

Again came the thrilling cry that told of a new footprint that had been
found.

This time it was Wallace Carberry who had made the discovery. He talked
so intelligently about it that Paul determined to keep him close by.
Wallace would be a valuable advisor in case he and Jack disagreed at any
time as to what the signs meant.

So they went on for an hour, finding a footprint now and then to
encourage them. These came at more frequent intervals when they got far
enough away to avoid the trampled soil where the crowd had hunted all the
afternoon.

Those who had followed were now missing. They had seen that the scouts
meant business, and did not care to wander so far from town. Hence, Paul
presently found that he and his patrol had the woods almost to
themselves.

Several times though he had seen other lanterns wandering around, and
guessed that these were carried by some of the Slavin crowd, also
diligently combing the woods in the hope of being the lucky ones to
find the missing boy.

The chief of police and his party had gone off in an altogether different
direction.

"How long can we keep this up, Paul?" asked Jack, when they had been
moving on for two hours, with no end in sight.

"Don't know, but we ought to be able to put our best foot forward just
as long as that little fellow does, don't you think?" replied the other,
reproachfully.

"Why, of course, and don't think I'm showing the white feather so early
in the game. I've made up my mind never to go back until he's found. Why,
we can camp right in the woods if it comes to it. And that would be a
bully experience for every Fox in the bunch. Think of having to make beds
out of branches! Ain't I glad some of us brought our camp hatchets
along."

"And Jack, it would leave us in a good position to take up the hunt again
in the morning; for you see we'd be right on the ground where the little
chap passed along. Suppose you call out again. He might hear, and
answer."

Jack obeyed, and repeated the name of Willie in a loud voice again and
again. But only the echoes of the great woods answered. If the boy were
within reach of that cheery hail he must be wrapped in the sleep of
exhaustion, and unable to reply.

Finally Jack ceased to call, for he was growing very husky.

The search still went on with unabated zeal, each boy trying to vie with
his mates in the endeavor to make some new discovery. Paul examined every
faint print of that little foot, desirous of fixing the time it was made.
Wallace joined him in this, and it was clearly shown that hours must have
elapsed since the child passed that way.

"Still, he may be within fifty yards of where we are. Let's keep at it as
long as we can, and only camp when some are too tired to go on," declared
Paul, greatly disappointed to think that they had thus far been baffled
by hard luck.

It was astonishing to see how far the little fellow had wandered; but
fear always lends wings to the feet; and all the while Willie doubtless
really believed he must be heading toward home.

And Paul noted another fact that somehow gave him new interest in the
enterprise. By degrees the trail had swung around to the left, as is
nearly always the case when grown persons are lost; and the principle
seemed to hold good in the case of even a child.

In itself this was not strange; but Paul knew that if they kept on for
another hour the chances were they would come upon the old mill pond,
nestling in the valley. The fact caused him to remember his friend Mr.
Pender; to once more mentally see that red motor with the khaki-colored
top; and to picture the two strangers who had asked him so many
questions.

Was this really an accident, their being drawn out toward the farm of the
unneighborly Sol Smithers; or might it turn out to be the working of
destiny?

He was aroused by a call that he had been expecting to hear for some time
now.

One of the scouts felt forced to admit that he was "all in." They had
done manly work to keep up the tramp all this time, being but boys at
best.

It meant that camp must be made, and the balance of the night spent there
in the woods, waiting for day to come to renew their search.

Poor little Willie was destined then to pass still more hours, surrounded
by the terrors of the black and unknown forest. But probably by this time
he must be so exhausted through his unusual exertions that he was dead to
the world in sleep; so it would not matter very much.

Soon all was bustle as the fourteen lads began to make ready to spend a
time in open camp. The sound of hatchets made pleasant music, as branches
were cut, and beds made close to the fire that had been started.

Some of the smaller lads were so utterly exhausted that they just dropped
to the ground, and went to sleep. Paul and Jack passed around to see that
these wornout fellows did not lie too near the blaze; and that they were
fairly comfortable.

In an hour's time it seemed as though every one were taking solid comfort
after such rude fashion as could be devised. One of the boys had brought
his camera along, keen to secure novel effects; and without warning he
set off a flash that gave him a picture of the slumbering heroes on their
lowly beds, that would be ever afterwards treasured as invaluable.

At the brilliant illumination several sat up, and one even gave a cry of
alarm, thinking perhaps that lightning had struck a tree close by; but
with the coming of darkness again they settled back.

But Paul could not sleep. He was only waiting until some of the more
restless souls quieted down. Then he and Jack, together with Wallace,
meant to again tackle the job of seeking for further imprints of those
worn little shoes among the dead leaves, and in the soft soil under the
giant trees.

Somehow Paul believed that the hunt was bound to carry them to the very
door of that farmhouse on the mill pond. He was induced to suspect this
because the last time they had examined the small shoeprints, the mark of
a much larger foot had appeared beside it; and after mature deliberation
he and Wallace came to the conclusion that some man, walking through the
forest, had discovered the trail of the child, _and was following it_!

He looked around him. As near as he could tell every one of the tired
scouts was slumbering soundly.

So Paul silently arose, touching Jack on the shoulder, who immediately
gave Wallace Carberry the signal.

The three uttered no word, but moving softly back from the circle of
firelight, carrying their almost exhausted lanterns, made ready to once
more start out into the depths of the wood; with the lonely farmhouse now
rented by the surly Sol Smithers just half a mile further to the north!

 

CHAPTER XXVI

WHAT WOODCRAFT TOLD

"There it is again, Paul!"

"As sure as you live we're being followed, boys!" and Wallace allowed his
voice to rise just above a hoarse whisper when he made this energetic
remark.

The three were crouching in the bushes.

As yet Paul had not caught a glimpse of the object which seemed to
disturb both of his friends; but he was looking sharply now.

"Why, yes, I do believe you are right, fellows," he said, calmly.

"Well, you take it mighty cool, I must say," declared Jack.

"Because I see no reason to get flurried over such a little thing, boys,"
was what the leader replied.

"Little thing, when you know Ted Slavin and a bunch of his toadies came
up here to get all the glory they could out of this business! Don't you
understand, Paul, that if they thought they could down us, they'd just as
lief waylay us in the woods, and put an end to all our expectations?"

This was a very unusual way of talking for Wallace, but it only went to
show how the boy was worked up over the situation, and made nervous by
the continuous strain.

"But how do you know those moving figures are Ted and Ward, or even any
of that crowd?" demanded Paul.

The others hesitated, and finally Jack remarked:

"Well, for a fact we don't know; but you remember we saw signs that even
you declared proved what I'm saying--that some of those fellows have
wandered as far as this."

"Yes, that's a fact. I'm not apt to forget it. Now, how many figures have
you seen dodging along back there, just as if they didn't care to be
seen--yet?"

"How about it, Wallace?" queried Jack, doubtfully.

"Two, anyhow; I'm sure of that," came the hesitating reply.

"Yes, at least two, Paul," the other echoed.

"And we are three. That's one reason why I don't see any reason for
getting nervous over the discovery," observed the leader, his voice now
apparently showing a trace of humor that was bubbling up near the
surface.

"But where there are two there may be more, Paul?" objected Jack.

"Yes, possibly eight or ten more," went on the calm leader.

"Goodness! and you say there is no need of our worrying?" exclaimed
Wallace.

"Yes, explain what you mean, old fellow. Eight or ten would give us a
warm time don't you think?" demanded Wallace, gripping Paul's arm
fiercely.

"Hardly, if they were all sound asleep around a dying campfire, dead to
the world," quoth Paul, chuckling now.

But the others uttered low but vehement exclamations.

"Don't you see what he means, Wallace?" asked Jack.

"Sure. What a couple of fools you and I were," came the scathing reply.

"We've been followed by two of our own boys. They must have watched us
crawl out of camp, and not wanting us to have all the fun, here they come
creeping after us. What shall we do, Paul?" Jack queried in the other's
ear; for the flitting figures were now very near.

"Open our arms and welcome the recruits. If they're just bound to join
forces with us, why should we make any kick. I'm glad of it."

Then raising his voice a little, Paul continued:

"Hey! there!"

They could hear the murmur of voices. Evidently the two shadows were
talking it over, and must have arrived at some quick conclusion, for
presently same a hail.

"Hello! Paul, Jack!"

"It's Bobolink, for one," muttered Jack, immediately.

"Then it's a sure thing William is tagging along," said Wallace.

"Come on, both of you fellows. No danger!" called Paul, softly.

After that assurance the shadows boldly advanced, and quickly joined the
three who stood under the spreading oak.

It proved just as Jack and Wallace had predicted, for the newcomers
turned out to be William and Bobolink. They were chuckling, as though
considering it a good joke.

"Thought you'd give us the quiet sneak, and gobble all the glory
yourselves, hey?" said the latter, as they bustled up; "but William and
myself had it all fixed. We were on to your curves, all right."

"Yes," broke in William, just there; "didn't we see you with your heads
together a lot, and wasn't we wise to what was in the wind. Bobolink was
awake, and it was my turn to snooze. He gave me a kick in the seventh rib
that made me think a comet had dropped on me. But we showed up game. Now,
what's doing, fellows; and do we get a grab at the scout?"

"If you both feel like trotting around a whole lot more, why you're just
as welcome as a shower in spring," asserted Paul, promptly.

"I should say, yes," declared Jack; "and if the whole bunch could stand
the racket we wouldn't have crept away like we did. But most of the poor
fellows are all in, and dead tired, and we thought it would be a shame to
invite them to hike some more."

"Did you bring your glim along?" asked Paul.

"Our lanterns? Well, William didn't want to, but I insisted. I knew that
if we missed you fellows, and lost ourselves in the bush, they'd come in
mighty fine for company," returned Bobolink.

"Then let's light up. After that we'll spread out, and try to find the
trail," with which remark Paul set the example.

Presently five lanterns glowed like giant fireflies.

"Think it lies in this direction, Paul?" asked William.

"I'm sure of it. After that man's track came alongside the print of the
little chap's shoe, there was no more wandering about; but it struck
straight ahead. That told me the trail was heading for a house," came the
ready reply.

"A house. Say, is there any other place up here but the old farm
alongside the mill pond? I don't seem to remember any," remarked
Bobolink.

"And that's just where I expect we'll bring up sooner or later," observed
Paul.

"Then why not put for the old place at full speed right away?" suggested
William, always impetuous.

"To do that we'd have to drop the trail again. And besides, what does
an hour, or even two of them, matter in the end? Slow but sure is the
successful scout's motto, boys. Hello I look here, what's this?"

Paul thrust his lantern down close to the ground. Bending over to look,
the others could see the plain impression of a child's little shoe. It
was heading due north, just as many similar tracks had been of late.

"Now if you look at this you'll see it's nearly crushed out by the big
print of a man's foot; while just beyond the child has stepped into the
impression made by the man. That can mean only one thing; the two were
going on in company, and for a minute he let go the little one's hand, so
that first the child was in front, and then behind."

"I guess you're right, Paul. But see here, what does this mean? The small
track has dropped out altogether," remarked William.

"That is where the big fellow picks the boy up in his arms, and is
carrying him," said Wallace, before Paul could answer.

"Right you are, that is just what happened. To tell the truth I don't
know why he didn't do that before. He must have been toting some bundle
along, and couldn't well carry the boy too. Come back a bit. I want to
look around," and Paul retraced his steps until he had reached the spot
where a confusion of tracks met his gaze.

He followed the man's trail a few paces, and found himself under a tree.
Raising his lantern he carefully examined the bark of the trunk, and
finding several fresh scratches, pursued his investigations still higher.

One accommodating limb grew rather low. In fact a man could, by reaching
up his arms, clasp it easily; and that was what Paul believed had been
done.

"Give me a push, somebody; and then hand up my lantern," he said,
clasping his arms about the tree as well as he was able.

Ten seconds later William was handing him up the light; after which Paul
began to ascend slowly, looking about him as though constantly on the
watch for signs that would tell another had preceded him.

"All right; it's here. I'm coming down, fellows," he soon called out.

Reaching that friendly lower limb he held something in view.

"Take hold of this, Bobolink, and handle it carefully, because we don't
know what's in the package. It might be dynamite!" he remarked.

"Oh! I hope not!" exclaimed the one in whose arms the bundle reposed; and
he did not look any too happy at the prospect ahead.

"Don't be silly," said Paul, as he dropped beside them. "But whatever
it may be, we might as well hide it in a new place. Then if the fellow
should come back here to get it, he's going to meet with a
disappointment, that's all."

"But what d'ye think it is?" argued the one who clasped the large package
in his arms, though with evident reluctance.

"That is none of our business just now. It may be honest enough, and we'd
get into a peck of trouble if we peeked. So let's just chuck it in some
hollow stump as we go along, and muffle our trail behind us so he can't
find where we put it. Later on I think I know some one who will be glad
to look into what it contains."

"Perhaps I do too," remarked Jack; and the two chums looked at each
other, with mutual astonishment marked on their faces.

"Oh!" remarked Paul, "are you on, too? Did he tell you the secret?"

"I happened to pick up an envelope he dropped, and wondered whose it was;
so I went around, asking. He laughed when I came to him, and told me
a little bit of news that surprised me. But Paul, he asked me not to
breathe a word, even to you. That was a mean joke, when you knew all
along," Jack complained.

"Remember the red car on the road, and the two men in it?"

"Oh! did they have anything to do with his coming up here? Yes, now that
I think of it, you were pretty much excited over that same red car. You
guessed something then, didn't you, Paul?"

"He had asked me to watch out for a red car with a khaki-colored top,
that might have two men in it, one of them owning to a glass eye."

"Good gracious!" said Jack; "that tall chap did have a bogus eye, for a
fact. And when you left me in town you hurried around to the post-office
to find Mr. Pender, didn't you? I see it all now. He never came home for
supper, as far as I know. I reckon he must have got a rig of some sort,
and put out for the mill pond. But what about Solus Smithers--they asked
after him, you know?"

Paul pointed to the marks on the ground.

"Unless I'm wrong those are his tracks. I noticed that he had big feet at
the time he came out and ordered us to clear away from the pond, and
threatened us with his gun. Yes, perhaps he got home to find visitors
waiting for him," Paul observed, just as though he could read all these
things from the trail.

"Then we go on, do we?" asked Bobolink, eagerly.

He had been listening to what passed between his two comrades, and while
it was partly Greek to him, enough of the truth filtered through to give
him a creepy sensation, as though cold water were being poured down his
back.

Bobolink was no coward though, and while he shivered it was more through
a delicious frame of mind over the chance of an adventure than because
he felt fear.

"Straight on, as long as these lanterns hold out. I see yours has begun
to flicker already, William. There, it's puffed out; and my own isn't
near as strong a light as it was."

Paul seemed to be a true prophet, for inside of five minutes the lanterns
"gave up the ghost," the last to expire being that of Jack.

"What's doing now?" demanded Jack.

"Gather up all the matches in the crowd. Then I'll strike them one by
one," was Paul's immediate response.

This emergency torch lasted for a little while. Finally the last match
was gone, and still they were some distance away from the mill pond.

"Listen," said William, suddenly; with a thrill in his voice; "whatever
do you suppose that is?"

 

CHAPTER XXVII

TED FINDS SOMETHING

"Sure it wasn't an owl?" asked Paul, when a full minute had passed away,
without their hearing a repetition of the sound that had reached the ears
of his comrade.

"Didn't sound like it. I kind of thought it was somebody calling for
help!" said Bobolink, quivering with the suspense caused by the
situation.

They stood in a group, listening eagerly. The night wind stirred the tops
of the tall forest trees softly, and even this gentle sound boomed on
their strained nerves like the strokes of a bass drum.

"Oh! there! Didn't you hear it that time?" whispered Bobolink.

"I guess we did," replied Paul; "and you're right in saying it is
somebody shouting. But all the same I don't feel sure it was a call for
help. Let's remember, fellows, that Ted and his crowd must be somewhere
about up here. And you know from past experiences what dodges he's up to
when he wants to play a trick on anybody."

"Do you mean he'd like to draw us off by shouting that way, while some
of his fellows went along to the farmhouse, and got the lost boy?" asked
William.

"That would be just like Ted. He's as full of tricks as an egg is of
meat," Jack took it upon himself to say at this juncture.

"Well, what are we going to do about it, boys?" asked Wallace.

"I leave it to Paul; whatever he says ought to be good enough for me,"
replied Wallace.

"And me," came from the others without hesitation.

"Thanks, fellows. I hope that my plan will prove the best after all. But
don't blame me if I should make a mistake. Let's head for the road, which
I take it ought to be somewhere over yonder," remarked Paul, pointing
through the darkness.

"The road, eh? I see, you mean that once we get on that we'll have it
easy all the way to the pond. That suits me all right. Count William in."

"Yes, seeing that our lanterns are out, and not a match in the crowd, I
guess the sooner we get our feet planted on the highway, the better for
our noses. I've barked mine already against a tree, and another dose will
spoil my classic beauty," grunted Bobolink, rubbing tenderly at the spot
in question.

"Then come along, the rest of you," said Paul, starting off.

"Seems to me it's getting lighter," announced Wallace, presently.

"Mebbe our eyes are used to it, that's what," Bobolink remarked.

"Mine are closing up right fast, I warn you, fellers," said William; "and
before long it's going to be a case of the blind leading the blind. That
branch took me across the face. Hey! ain't that the same old shout?"

"Sounds like it; but much nearer," returned Paul, with a vein of
uncertainty in his voice, as if he might be commencing to doubt whether
they were doing the right thing in paying no attention to the calls.

"Oh! I guess I know what it means," remarked Jack; "I've been trying to
make it out all along. That's sure a different voice. Some of Ted's crowd
have got separated, and they're just trying to get together again. You've
heard quail calling, after being flushed and scattered. How, Paul?"

"Perhaps you've struck it, Jack. Anyway, we are on the road here, and had
better push straight along to the pond first."

"Right enough," uttered Bobolink, as he broke through a cordon of brush,
and jumped out on the highway, though it might be only an apology for a
road after all, being scantily used; "and after that experience it's
going to be something big that drags me into the woods again."

The little group stood there for a minute to recover their wind, which
had been more or less exhausted in the last desperate push through the
dark woods.

"Ready to move on, fellows?" demanded Paul, who had apparently not
changed his mind, and was more than ever bent on covering the last lap
lying between themselves and the pond.

Jack and Wallace fell in on either side, and the march was begun. Since
the other pair did not wish to be left behind, they were forced to
accompany themselves to the movements of the trio.

Thus they walked perhaps a full hundred yards along the winding road,
with the stars showing overhead, and the black mysterious woods flanking
them on either side.

The shouts had apparently ceased; at least none had been heard since the
five lads reached open territory.

Again it was Bobolink who caught a sound of some sort.

"Tell me again I'm hearing owls, will you, fellows? If that ain't a
gasoline wagon climbing a hill ahead there I'm off my guess," he
whispered.

"Chug! chug!" came the plain sound, as the air current veered more toward
the point toward which they were heading.

"I know that hill," Paul observed, as if talking to himself; "it's just
this side of the mill pond. That means the car is coming this way. The
two gentlemen are separating themselves from their dear friend, Solus
Smithers. Why, I wonder? Would Mr. Pender have anything to do with it?"

"Wow! did you see that?" gasped Bobolink, proving that his plaint about
his eyes closing up could hardly be based on solid ground.

"Somebody struck a match, and it went out! Whoever it is, he's on the
road just ahead of us, fellows!" whispered Jack.

"Back up into the scrub here. Quick! for perhaps he's got another match!"
said Paul, following up his words by instant action.

They managed to cower down in the brush, though Bobolink muttered
something to the effect that he had received another jab in the
neighborhood of his wretched eyes.

"Look! he's done it, Paul, just as you said he would!" whispered Jack.

"Yes, he's shielding it from the breeze till it gets strong. There--well,
what d'ye think of that, fellers?" gasped William.

"It's Ted!" muttered Wallace, staring hard at the figure that seemed to
be huddled up on the road a little distance away.

"What do you suppose the silly goose is doing on his knees?" came from
Jack.

"He's found something, and he's looking at it. See, now he's managed to
open it up. Seems to me like a leather bag, boys," Wallace managed to
wedge in with.

"Just what it is, old cat eyes. A hand bag! Now, however did that thing
happen to be lying there in the road? Nobody ever comes up here but
Solus, and he isn't the one to own a bag like that."

"The red car," said Paul, as Jack seemed to hesitate.

"That's it, as sure as you live. Dropped out of the machine; and by
jinks! the fellers are comin' back to look for it. Never missed it till
Sol got home!" his chum declared.

All this talk between the five boy scouts was carried on in the lowest of
whispers. The sound of their voices would not have carried twenty feet;
and the kneeling Ted was several times that distance away.

Besides, he seemed to be so fascinated by what he had discovered in the
leather grip that he had eyes and ears for nothing else just then.

"The motor is coming closer!" remarked Wallace, as the sound of the
engine was borne more distinctly to their ears.

"Sure. She's just at the top of the rise, and now it's down-grade. Reckon
she'll be here in a minute. Push back further, fellows."

"Look! Ted hears it now! He's jumped up! Seems like he just don't know
what to do, cut and run with the bag, or wait till the car gets there.
Hey! watch that, will you?" gasped William.

"He threw the bag as far as he could into the woods!" said Jack.

"That looks like he meant to try and keep it," suggested Jack; "I imagine
that the leather grip holds something that took Ted's fancy. But all the
same I reckon it isn't going to be easy sledding for him. Will he run,
fellows?"

"He's debating that same question now; but it's too late. He waited just
half a minute too long," Paul remarked, as a sudden flash of dazzling
light shot around a bend a short distance ahead, and the red car with the
khaki-colored top came into view, making fairly fast time.

They could dimly see the inmates apparently surveying the road ahead with
the utmost eagerness, as though anxious to make a discovery. The loss of
that bag must have rather upset their plans, and given them a jolt.

Every one of the five hidden scouts crouched low, so that their faces
might not be discovered by that fierce white glow.

Plainly to their ears was borne the shouts of the men in the machine, as
they discovered the figure of Ted on the road. The Stanhope bully had
evidently made up his mind that the bag was well worth struggling for,
and that he must make some sort of a fight to retain possession of it.

Paul could guess what his plan of operations would be. He had seen Ted
play innocent more than once before, when caught in the act of doing some
mean thing. And as a rule the fellow could carry out the game fairly
well.

But he was up against a different proposition now; and these keen-eyed
men were not apt to be hoodwinked so easily as a parcel of schoolboys.

Ted stood there, looking at the car that was bearing down upon him.

No doubt he had assumed the innocent air of a rustic, and tried to make
himself appear as stupid as he could. The two men in the red car were no
longer calling, for they had seen that the boy on the road showed no
signs of wanting to run.

As they bore down upon the spot the car slowed up, and came to a full
stop within a few yards of the waiting Ted. Every scout lying in the
screen of bushes held his breath as he listened to catch what was going
to follow.

"Say, gimme a ride, mister?"

That was Ted speaking, before either of the men could say the first word.
Indeed they were too busy clambering out of the car to surround him, and
cut off any chance of escape, to think of anything else.

Without answering they bore down on Ted, and he found himself confronted
by two eager faces, while a rough hand clutched his arm.

"He ain't got it, Brad!" exclaimed the shorter of the pair, as though
disappointed over something.

"Hey, what'd you do with it, son?" demanded the taller traveler, looking
furiously at Ted, though pretending to speak gently.

"With what, boss? I ain't got nothin' that belongs to you, sure I ain't!"
whimpered the boy; and Paul came near to chuckling at the way Ted put on
the agony.

"We lost a leather bag out of the car. I saw it after we turned into this
here twisting side road just back a piece. We've looked over every foot
between here and the mill pond, and ain't seen it. I'm going to ask you
again, son, what did you do with it?"

The man did not threaten, as yet, but there was something deep down in
his voice that seemed to tell of all sorts of terrible things that might
happen to the boy unless he came to time, and confessed.

But at any rate Ted was game. His covetous nature had been aroused by
something he had glimpsed inside of that same bag; and he did not mean to
give it up unless pushed to the last resort.

"Ain't seen no bag, mister, 'deed an' I ain't," he whimpered; "I got a
lantern here, an' I was ahuntin' a little boy that was lost from home.
Lots of other fellers in the woods adoin' that same. But my light give
out. Then I struck this here road. I'm clean tired out, mister, and I'd
like to get a ride home, if so be you're goin' my way. A bag, mister?
Sure I ain't knowin' nawthin' about no bag. Cross my heart if I do. Gimme
a ride to Stanhope, mister, please!"

 

CHAPTER XXVIII

FORCED TO TELL

The two men looked at each other.

Apparently they hardly knew whether to believe Ted or not. Paul saw them
put their heads close together, as though exchanging confidences. Then
the tall fellow once more whirled on Ted, who had been standing on one
leg, with a most forlorn look upon his face.

"We both think that you lie, son," said the man who was minus one of his
optics, as he thrust his face close down to that of Ted, as though he
would look straight into his heart; but this was something that no one
else had ever succeeded in doing, and the attempt did not prove very
successful.

"Tell him who we are, Brad," growled the shorter of the twain, who looked
angry enough to devour the unfortunate Ted.

So the one called Brad took something out of his coat pocket that made
a peculiar jingling noise, and held it up before the boy.

"D'ye see them, son? We call 'em bracelets, and they're meant to go on
the wrists of criminals. D'ye understand now? We're officers of the law,
and we've just made a grand haul. But some of the evidence has slipped
away from us. It's in that same bag you picked up on this here road.
Now, don't you dare deny it again, or we'll take you into town with these
pretty toys clasped on your wrists. I'm going to give you another chance
to tell us, son. Where did you put that bag?"

Ted winced and whined. He showed all the signs of injured innocence.
Surely he must have made up his mind quickly that the contents of the
bag were well worth taking all sorts of chances for.

"Ain't seen no bag. Sure I'd be on'y too glad to tell you, mister, if I
had. All I wants to do is to go home. I'm tired, an' nigh sick with all
this huntin' for that kid," he whimpered.

The man suddenly pounced on him, and despite Ted's struggles and
entreaties, he seemed to succeed in accomplishing his purpose. At any
rate the concealed scouts heard a snap; and when Ted reeled back he was
holding his two hands close together in a suspicious way, and staring at
something that seemed to be in the nature of a connecting link.

"Now you are in for it," said the tall man, shaking his head
threateningly as he stood over the prisoner; "we'll have to take you to
town, and put you in the lockup as an accessory after the fact. D'ye hear
that, you young fool? And all because you refuse to help honest officers
of the law in their legitimate business. Why, you may get ten years at
hard labor, yes, twenty. Better tell all you know, and perhaps we'll let
you off."

"You can do anything you like to me, mister, but I ain't agoin' to say
what I don't know. Ain't seen any bag of no kind. Cross my heart if I
have. I'm willin' to help you hunt for it, even if I am dog tired. Don't
you believe me, mister? Sure, I wouldn't lie to you. What would I be
wantin' with a bag; we got plenty at my house. Ted Slavin's my name, and
I live in Stanhope. Gimme a ride, mister, if you're goin' that way, won't
you?"

Again the two men talked together, while Ted watched them out of the
corner of his eye. He might even have tried to run but the fact that
his hands were fastened together with that steel chain prevented such
a thing.

Once more they turned upon him, and the tall man pointing down,
thundered:

"You've been kneeling in the dirt!"

Ted glanced down at his trousers involuntarily; but even then he was not
taken off his guard.

"I fell ever so many times after my lantern went out. See here, mister,
how I scraped the skin off my hand. That's the honest truth I'm givin'
you!" he cried.

Undoubtedly it was, but all the same the men showed no signs of yielding.

The taller one, called Brad by his companion, deliberately detached one
of the lamps from the car. With this he bent down to examine the road.

"He'll see the marks of the bag!" whispered Bobolink to Paul.

"Watch him while I scurry along the road a bit, to see if he left it,"
was what the man said, and then moved down toward the spot where the
five boys lay in hiding.

When he came opposite them they hardly dared to breathe, lest his keen
ears catch the sound, and he pounce upon them.

But he went past, scouring the road closely, and looking for some sign of
the missing bag. They saw him pass on, and the light grew dim. Meanwhile
Ted sat down on a log, and seemed to be very dejected and forlorn. Once
or twice when the shorter man was not looking Paul saw him glance around,
as though sizing up the chances for a sudden plunge into the forest.

"He's coming again," said Bobolink; and the brilliant glow from down the
road bore evidence of the truth of this remark which was whispered in
Paul's ear.

Brad walked hastily back, and soon rejoined his companion, with whom he
talked earnestly for a minute.

"Get up!" he said, turning to Ted, and giving the boy a kick that made
him climb to his feet hurriedly, groaning with pain.

"Bring him along into the woods, Wash!" the tall man continued, turning
aside.

"Oh! what are you goin' to do?" cried Ted, in real or pretended terror,
as he caught hold of the man's coat, and sought to hold him back.

"You'll find out right soon, son. Before we're done with you perhaps
you'll wish you'd told us about that ere bag us the beginning. We're just
going to make it warm for a feller of your size. This night air has made
you too cold to speak up; but we'll fix all that, I reckon; we know how
to do it, don't we, Wash?"

"Do we? Well, I should smile we did. But they's no need of our goin' far,
old man. This here is a right smart tree, and looks like it might answer.
'Sides, they seems to be lots o' loose wood lyin' 'bout this part!"

Paul felt a chill pass over him. Could it be possible these rascals meant
to torture Ted until he told; or were they just trying to frighten him?
If it came to the worst they just could not stand by and see such a thing
done.

Ted, of course, was considerably worked up when he heard what the shorter
fellow said. It was so very plain he could not mistake the meaning.

"Say, mister, you wouldn't go to hurt a poor feller what never done you
no harm, now, would you? Wish I on'y knowed where I could find a bag; I'd
get it for you like hot cakes. Please don't smoke me. I ain't a ham,
mister, an' I never done you any harm. Let me go, won't you? I'll never
come up here again, sure I won't. And I'll promise to bring you all the
bags in our house, mister."

Paying no attention to his pleadings and his groanings the men stood Ted
up against a tree. Then the rope brought from the car was wrapped around
both boy and tree several times.

"Get busy, Wash, and scrape up all the dead leaves you can find. Then
begin and pile up some brush and stuff. Oh! yes, it's a cold night, but
we ain't agoin' to let a poor critter what's lost his way, suffer. Here
you, stop that snifflin'. Time enough to beller after it begins to hurt."

He struck Ted again in the face, making his nose bleed. Paul had crept
out from the brush and commenced to approach the spot. He knew that the
other four scouts were probably close on his heels.

Every boy's heart beat like a trip hammer with excitement. They bit their
lower lips to keep from shouting out loud, such was the strain upon them.
But not one had the least thought of turning back. With such a leader,
how could they?

The shorter ruffian was scratching right merrily among the dead leaves,
making all the noise he could, so as to impress the prisoner with a sense
of his perilous condition. While he worked he kept talking, half to
himself, and no doubt uttering all sorts of terrible threats calculated
further to alarm the boy.

"We forgot one thing, Wash," said the other man, suddenly.

"What was that?" asked the one on his knees.

"To search the varmint. I might as well do it right now, while you go on
getting his jacket warmer ready."

At first Ted tried to make all the resistance possible; but this only
brought quick punishment in the shape of ugly blows and threats. So Ted
had to stand and allow the other to have his way.

A minute later the man uttered a loud cry.

"Look here, Wash, what did I say?"

He was holding something up. Seen in the light from the lamp belonging
to the red car it looked very much like a fat wad of greenbacks, tied
together with a cord.

Wash sprang up, and bent over to examine the object in the light. Then he
laughed harshly.

"It's the boodle, all right, Brad. He found the bag, sure as thunder! And
now he's _got_ to tell, or it's all up with him!"

Both men turned furiously on the bound boy. Ted had held out against all
odds up to this critical point; but of course he must admit himself
beaten, now that they had found the evidence in his pocket.

Nearer crept Paul, with his chums tagging close at his heels. And nobody
thought to look beyond the line of brilliant light cast by the lamp which
rested on the ground at the foot of the tree. Fortunately its powerful
rays were directed away from the quarter occupied by the creeping Boy
Scouts.

"Now, I reckon you're agoin' to tell all you know about that ere bag,
son?" said Brad, in a terrible voice.

"I guess I'll have to, mister. I was just holdin' out to see if so be you
was what you says. Now I know you be, and I'm ready to tell the hull
thing if you'll only let me go free. I don't want to be smoked, just yet
anyway," Ted whined.

"You did find the bag, then?" demanded the other.

"Yep, that's what I did."

"And took this wad of dough out of it?" pursued the other, savagely.

"It looked too nice to throw away, so I cabbaged it, mister. Wisht I
hadn't now."

"What became of the bag after you took this out--go on, now, and tell,
or--"

"Oh! I throwed that away, mister, right over here in the woods somewhere.
If you look around you'll find her close by. Please let me go when you
dig her out!" said Ted, really alarmed now for his safety.

 

CHAPTER XXIX

THE CAPTURE

Paul knew where that bag was.

By the strangest chance in the world he was kneeling alongside it just
then. In creeping forward so as to draw closer to the scene of action,
and avoid the rays of light cast by the car lamp, he had happened to put
his hand on some object that felt soft to the touch; and he guessed what
it must be.

What if the tall man came straight toward that spot, looking for the
missing object? Dared they rise up and defy these two scoundrels? If some
one cast Ted loose would he join forces with them, and make common cause
against the ruffians?

Judging from what he knew about the fellow, from past experiences, Paul
thought no dependence could be placed on Ted. As likely as not if his
hands were free, he would seize the very first chance to snatch up the
bag and scamper off, leaving the others to bear the brunt of the men's
anger.

But perhaps they would not have to face the tall chap just yet. He seemed
ready to start into the bushes across the way first, taking the lamp with
him.

"Keep on piling up the trash, Wash. Get him surrounded good and plenty.
For if we don't run across that bag mighty soon we're bound to make it
warm for this Smart Aleck. But don't put a match to the heap till I get
back. I wanter see the fun, you understand."

"Oh! mister, it's just like I was tellin' you. I stood in the road and
guv the bag a throw when I see your light over the top of the hill. She
jest _must_ be close around here somewhere," Ted wailed.

"If Brad finds her, all well an' good; but if he don't--well, you'll have
a sweet time soon, that's all," growled the shorter man, still on his
knees, and engaged in scraping more leaves together.

"If you on'y would let me, I'd stand on the road jest where I was when
I throwed the old bag. Then you could figger where she landed. Let me
loose, won't you, mister? I told you the truth this time; and you're sure
to find that bag. They'll be wonderin' what's become of me at home, sure
they will. I got a mother, and she thinks a heap of me, she does. You
wouldn't break her heart, mister, by smokin' a poor boy?"

"Aw! dry up! you fooled us once, but you can't do it no more. It's the
bag, or your hide gets a singein', my fine feller. That'll do for you,
now."

The man had a temper as short as his stature; and Ted dared not stir him
up any further. So he hung there alongside the tree, watching the glow
of the lamp further up the road.

And as he stood in this disconsolate position, he suddenly became aware
that something was taking place just beyond the kneeling Wash.

Perhaps, had his hands not been so snugly fastened together with that
horrid steel chain, Ted might have tried to rub his eyes, under the
impression that they were deceiving him; for he saw a face in the dim
light, a face that looked wonderfully like that of Paul Morrison.

Some foolish boys would have been so thrilled by the prospect of relief
that they must have called out, and thus betrayed the creeping rescuers.
Ted chanced to be built on different lines. He stared and blinked, but
gave utterance to no sound.

He saw other moving figures close on the heels of the leader. Then he
understood that Paul was not alone, but some of his Red Fox patrol must
be in attendance.

Closer still crept the newcomers. If Ted's heart ever warmed toward a
living being it surely ought just then; when these lads, whom he was
wont to regard as his bitter rivals, and enemies in everything at school,
took such chances simply because they could not see a Stanhope boy in
trouble.

Wash kept muttering to himself as he worked. The rustle of the leaves,
and the crackling of the brush as he dragged it forward, kept him from
hearing such sounds as might have been made by the tenderfeet scouts, who
had not yet learned just how to do these things as might an Indian or an
experienced woodsman.

Paul was on his knees now, and still rising, with Jack a close second.

They were not three feet behind the man who labored. A single plunge
forward must send them full upon his back.

Some thought of his companion possibly crossed the mind of Wash just
then; for he suddenly turned his head.

Of course he could not help but see what was behind him.

"Now!" whooped Bobolink and William in a breath.

There was a simultaneous movement on the part of the five lads. Wash,
taken by surprise, could not get up on his feet. He had his hands full of
brush at the moment, and this also handicapped him about making any
effective use of the weapons Nature gave him.

He had just time to shout the name of his companion when the avalanche
struck him, and he was bowled over as neatly as ever a football tackle
got his man.

Paul knew that they could easily manage this one fellow. The trouble
was Wash did not happen to be alone. When the tall ruffian came dashing
quickly to the spot there was no telling what he might not do.

"Hold him down, you twins. Don't let him break loose. The rest of you
follow me!"

Even while speaking Paul scrambled to his feet. He heard the mad patter
of feet as Brad came dashing toward the spot, shouting in his excitement,
and doubtless believing that the prisoner had turned upon his captor.

"Let me loose, Paul; quick, twist this rope around the tree!" shrilled
Ted, who saw a chance to escape the punishment that had been hovering
over his head.

Paul caught the end of the rope. Four times did he dash around that tree,
in about as many seconds; then Ted, finding his bonds loose, squirmed
free.

But Brad was now on hand, filled with astonishment and fury. Whichever
way he turned the rays of his car lamp he seemed to discover fresh moving
figures. The woods seemed to be full of enemies. They must be hiding
behind each and every tree, ready to pounce upon him.

Already he could see that his partner was writhing on the ground, held
down by an unknown number of strangers. In his eyes it might be these
advancing figures each and every one must be a deputy sheriff, eager to
have a hand in his arrest. So terror makes cowards of the best of men;
and Brad turned to flee.

"Surrender!" shouted a voice behind him.

It was Paul calling out, but just then the alarmed culprit could not tell
the voice of a boy from that of a hyena. Some one had called upon him to
surrender, and the dread word conjured up all sorts of terrible
conditions.

Into the darkness of the woods he would have plunged, regardless of the
shock that must follow a collision with an unseen tree. But he did not
go far. A figure arose straight in his path, and opened a pair of arms,
into the embrace of which the fleeing rascal ran.

Before the lamp fell to the ground and went out Paul had one glimpse of
a face.

"It's Mr. Pender, fellows! Brad's nabbed!" he could not help shouting.

Jack, realizing the need of more light, instantly flew over to where the
car was standing, and detached the second lamp. With this he hastened
back. Wash was still struggling; but the two boys had him on his face,
where his superior strength was of little avail; and were sitting on him
to keep him quiet.

When they rushed over to where Mr. Pender had been seen struggling with
the taller of the ruffians, they found that he had subdued Brad; for the
other was glaring down at a pair of steel bracelets which outshone those
he had so pleasantly snapped on the wrists of poor Ted.

There was no more fight in him.

When the other man had been treated to a similar present, they were
allowed to sit upon the ground and exchange words of doleful regret,
while Mr. Pender went the rounds, and gravely shook hands with each one
of the Boy Scouts.

"You've done me a good turn, boys, a mighty good turn. I was just on my
way to the mill pond to arrest these chaps when I saw a light ahead, and
creeping up, witnessed this interesting sight. When I've found that bag
now, I imagine I'll have the case against these two worthies clean cut,"
he said.

Upon which Paul quietly stepped over into the bushes and fished out the
article in question, which he delivered to the officer.

From Brad's pocket was taken the wad of bills which Ted had thought to
purloin from the bag before he threw it and the rest of its contents
away.

"This is counterfeit money, boys, made from the plates in the bag. They
were taking these things to Solus, who had written them that he had
secured a nice quiet retreat where they might work undisturbed. So you
see, my boy," said Mr. Pender to Ted, "if you had made way with this
it must have gotten you into a peck of trouble from the start. You're
lucky to get out of it as easy as you do."

Ted was looking anything but cheerful.

"Oh! I knowed it was bad money all the while, sir, but I wanted to take
it to the chief of police in town. I ain't ever goin' to run up against
Paul Morrison and his crowd no more, after this white way they treated
me. Not much. I'm goin' to turn over a new leaf after this. But please,
mister, get that key from him, and take these things off. Makes me squirm
to just feel 'em. But, mister, I'm glad I didn't have to smoke, after
all," and that seemed to be the burden of Ted's thanksgiving.

As to his ever turning over that promised new leaf, well, Paul believed
they were more apt to find potatoes growing on apple trees than that
such a wonder should come about.

"But I'm not satisfied yet, boys," said the Government agent; "there's a
third one to get; Solus Smithers, who is known to me by another name.
Now, I wonder if I could leave these two prisoners in charge of several
of you, while the rest went with me in the car? I'll make use of the
rope, so they just can't possibly get away."

It was presently decided that William, Wallace and Bobolink should stay,
also Ted if he cared to remain. Paul and Jack would accompany Mr. Pender,
so as to render any assistance needed. They could also bring back little
Willie Boggs, should he be found under the roof of the old farmhouse by
the mill pond.

"The worst of it is I don't know how to handle a machine," remarked the
gentleman, after they had stepped out on to the road.

"Both of us do, sir," remarked Paul; "so if you will jump aboard we'll
soon be off."

"Well, I'd just like to learn if there is anything you Boy Scouts don't
know how to handle?" observed the pleased agent, as he saw the two lamps
put back in position, though only one was allowed to remain lighted.

It took them but a short time to draw close to the farmhouse by the pond.

Mr. Pender jumped out and advanced through the darkness toward the door.
Just as he reached it the boys, looking, saw it open. Then the voice of
Sol Smithers came plainly to them.

"Wall, did yuh run acrost the bag, Brad? I guessed 'twas on'y layin' down
the road a piece. But what yuh mean apushin' in on me thetaways?"

"You're my prisoner, Silas Westover. Don't try to run, or it will be the
worse for you. I have plenty of help and your place is surrounded. Wash
and Brad are already in irons. Hold up your hands!" came in the stern
voice of Mr. Pender.

Of course the man who had called himself Solus Smithers did not offer any
resistance, and he was quickly made a prisoner. When he found later that
one man, assisted by a parcel of Boy Scouts, had captured three desperate
characters, he was about as mad as a hornet; but it was too late then
to remedy matters.

Paul and Jack immediately started a search for the missing Willie Boggs.
The youngster was discovered fast asleep on a cot, just as the man who
had found him in the woods had lain him down.

And when Mr. Pender saw this he nodded his head, and declared that
because Solus had shown that he possessed a tender heart, for all his
assumed fierceness, he would make it as easy for him when the case to
trial, as he could.

After Mr. Pender had searched the place, and accumulated what evidence
he needed, all of them got into the car, Willie still sound asleep. Then
they started over the road for Stanhope.

The town was reached at just one o'clock. At police headquarters Mr.
Pender delivered his three prisoners for safe keeping. After that Paul
again took the red car out to bring in the remainder of the patrol, for
they were miles away from home.

 

CHAPTER XXX

FOUND OUT AT LAST

"Why, hello! Paul! I didn't hear you ring. Did you fly in through the
window?"

Jack sprang up from the easy chair he had been occupying in the library
of his own home, when his chum suddenly appeared before him.

It was about ten o'clock on the morning following the hunt for the lost
boy; and the remarkable occurrences that had accompanied it up in the
woods above Stanhope.

"Oh! you know I told you I might slip in by the back door this time; and
that is just what I did," replied Paul, speaking in an unusually guarded
tone.

"That's a fact!" exclaimed Jack, beginning to show signs of excitement;
"and I remember that at the same time you promised--"

"I'd try my best to solve the puzzle about those disappearing old coins,
and tell you to-day," said his chum, breaking in. "Well, perhaps I may,
though my most promising clue has turned out a bit of a fizzle."

"But you have another up your sleeve, you said?" continued Jack, eagerly.

"Yes, I believe I have," Paul admitted. "Some time later, when we get
this queer affair off our hands, I want to talk with you about a lot of
things connected with this scout movement. I got some good ideas from a
bunch of papers left at our house for me. Guess who remembered us in
such a bully way?"

"Give it up. I might mention every gentleman in town, and then some,"
laughed Jack; "for they're all watching what we're doing, with interest.
But go on and tell me who it was, Paul."

"Mr. Peleg Growdy," came the surprising answer.

"Well, you don't say?" exclaimed his chum, delight showing in his voice;
"so the old man has really seen a great light, has he? I guess he's
taking more interest in our troop than anybody else in town. That night's
work was the best thing that ever happened for the boys of Stanhope, as
well as for Peleg. I take off my cap to him after this, Paul."

"But wait; that isn't all. You know that Si Growdy is a nephew of his?
Well, he's without a home no longer. Peleg sent for him, and they had a
long talk. Si told me this morning that he's really been adopted by his
uncle, and is going to make his home with him. What d'ye think of that,
Jack?"

"Just immense, that's what," declared his companion, slapping a hand on
Paul's shoulder; "I'm glad we went there and cleaned up the old man's
dooryard. Some of the boys thought it silly at the time; but they
understand things better now. He was just needing something like that to
touch his heart. Up to then he thought all boys were pests. We opened his
eyes some, eh?"

"That's right, we did. But about those coins!" said Paul, smiling once
more.

"Yes, first tell me who it was you suspected that has turned out
innocent?" asked his chum.

"There he lies yonder, sleeping, with one eye open and watching us!"
remarked Paul, pointing across the room.

"What! Carlo! You actually suspected him of taking my coins? Why, Paul,
whatever put that notion into your head?" demanded Jack, in sheer
astonishment.

"Well," returned Paul; "perhaps it was silly, but then you've taught him
to fetch a basket from the baker's, and do lots of stunts. I didn't know
but what the sly old chap might be helping himself to your coins, and
palming them off on the butcher for a supply of bones."

"That would have been the limit!" gasped his friend. "But you found out
that he was innocent, did you?"

"I finally went in and talked with Mr. Griggs; but he said Carlo just
came in once in a while, looking so pitifully at him, that he didn't have
the heart to refuse a bone. So none of your lost coins have gone into his
till, Jack."

"Oh! that would have been the queerest thing ever, had he done it. But
now about the other clue you have--tell me about it, Paul," continued
the anxious one. Paul had seated himself where he could keep an eye down
the street in front of the house. And while his chum was talking he had
smiled as if he might have discovered something out there that pleased
him very much.

"Come right up to your den with me, Jack, and leave Carlo shut in here,"
he said, rising; "and when we get upstairs open the window to air the
room. Then I shall ask you to let me hide there behind something, while
you go downstairs, pass out, and along the street in plain view."

"Say, that's a mighty queer thing to do," ventured the other.

"It's all a part of my plan. You must leave the door of the den open too.
And Jack, after you get around the corner I want you to sneak back to the
rear of the house, and come up again, crawling into the den here, if
everything is quiet."

"Oh! all right, if you say so, Paul," Jack observed; "but you've sure got
me guessing to beat the band, right now. Here's the window open. Now
shall I get busy, and meander off?"

"Right away. Please carry it out just as I said. You ought to be back
here inside of six or seven minutes; and I guess that will be time enough
before the circus begins, Jack."

So the owner of the little den at the top of the house gave his chum one
last look of bewilderment, and turning, hastened down the stairs.

Paul, with a glance around, chose a certain corner for his hiding-place.
Here he could see without exposing himself to view; and squatting down he
prepared to await developments.

A minute later he got up, and moved an old screen partly across the
floor, so that it hid the open door. When Jack returned, he could crawl
alongside the hiding boy without showing himself to any one in the room,
or beyond the window.

Hardly had five minutes crept by when Paul heard a slight sound. It came
from the stairs, and he smiled, knowing that his chum had lost no time in
carrying out his part of the plot.

So Jack came sliding in, and was soon nestling down at Paul's side,
brimming over with curiosity, yet deterred from asking questions by the
fact that Paul had put up a warning finger.

Several more minutes passed by, when Jack was thrilled to see something
moving in the direction of the partly open window. It seemed to be a
long cane fishing rod, that had a dark colored lump at the end of it.

The rod continued to advance slowly into the den. It was, of course, in
the hands of some one perched in the window of the attic belonging to the
empty house so close by; and Jack could easily guess now who that person
must be.

Scissors Dempsey, once his friend, but latterly a crony of Ted Slavin!

Now the end of the rod seemed to hover above the little box containing
all that were left of Jack's old coins. And even as he and Paul looked
they saw it descend until the light box was tilted partly over, when the
point of the long rod was pushed into it vigorously. Jack was reminded
somewhat of a human hand groping about. And then, as the fishing pole was
rapidly withdrawn, he saw one of his few remaining old coins sticking to
the black lump at its terminus!

The game was now clear. Scissors, inspired by a love of fun, or a desire
to mystify Jack, perhaps make him suspect that one of his chums was
taking the coins, had come every day into this empty house belonging to
his father. Whenever he found the window in Jack's den open he amused
himself with this strange fishing.

Paul beckoned to his chum, and then silently crept out of the den, which
he was easily enabled to do, thanks to the screen he had placed to cover
the open door.

Once down on the next landing Jack clutched his sleeve.

"Well, would you dream of such a thing as that?" exclaimed the latter,
nearly ready to explode with laughter, yet feeling a bit angry at the
same time. "What under the sun d'ye suppose he's doing such a stunt for,
Paul?"

"We'd better put it up to Scissors," replied the other, quickly.

"Then you suggest waiting for him as he comes out, and telling him we
know all about his fishing for my coins?" asked Jack.

"Come along. He might be satisfied with just one to-day. You see it's
getting harder, with so few left in the box," and Paul led the way
downstairs again.

"But what's he got on the end of that pole?" demanded his chum.

"I think it must be a lump of rather soft tar, or pitch," came Paul's
answer, readily enough. "I found a little on one of the coins left the
last time we examined them; and you said that the fourth stuck to the
side of the box. Yes, that's what it is. Now, let's wait over by the
front door, for that's the way he goes in."

Five minutes later the front door of the empty house opened, and a tall
boy, with spindly legs, came slily out. He stopped to turn a key in the
lock. Then, as he wheeled, it was to find himself facing two fellows who
were probably the very last boys in Stanhope he expected to see.

"Just in time to explain how you came to think of that clever little
fishing dodge of yours, Scissors," remarked Paul; "and to give back all
those old coins you've been raking in so smartly. Thought it lots of fun,
didn't you? And meant to twist my chum up so he'd think one of his own
crowd had been taking them?"

"Yes," Jack said, in turn, looking as angry as he could; "and if you
don't turn every blessed copper piece over to me right away, there's
going to be trouble at your house, understand that, Scissors?"

The guilty one turned red in the face. Then he laughed as though he
wanted to consider it a joke.

"Oh! come off!" he exclaimed, with a gesture of disgust; "can't you take
a little fun, Jack? Of course I meant to give 'em all back again, after
I'd had my sport out of the game, and got the last coin. They're upstairs
here, right now. Come along in, and I'll show you. The slick trick is
gone up in smoke now, anyway; since you got on to my curves. But I
wouldn't make such a big fuss over nothing."

"It wasn't the coins, because they don't count for much; but just think
how I felt at even suspecting that some fellow who was my friend had been
taking them," said Jack, as he and Paul followed Scissors into the empty
house.

And from the sneer on the other's face as he looked back, Paul was
inclined to believe that this was just what he had been doing the thing
for. He disliked Jack as much now as he had once cared for him; and would
probably enjoy nothing better than to see him turn on some friend,
perhaps even his best chum.

The coins were found, as he had said, in a marble-bag in the attic. While
Jack was counting them, Paul knelt at the window, and experimented with
the long fishing rod he found on the floor. He discovered that he could
manage to tilt the little box on the table quite easily, though it needed
some labor before he brought one of the coins across the open space,
glued to the pitch at the point of the rod.

"All there, ain't they?" demanded Scissors.

"Yes," replied Jack; "though so sticky I'll have to wash them in
something like benzine. Perhaps you did do it for a lark, Scissors; but
I'll make sure that a screen is in that window whenever it's open after
this."

"Huh! I guess the feller that invented this racket could get up somethin'
just as good if he wanted," and that was all Scissors ever said about
it to the boy he had wronged.

Jack, having recovered his property, did not care to do anything further
about the robbery. Later on Scissors himself told his cronies, thinking
it to his credit; and they more than a few times tried to joke Jack about
his disappearing coins. But he took it all in good humor, and after a
while the thing was apparently forgotten, because the boys of Stanhope
had many other things of importance to engage their undivided attention.

 

CHAPTER XXXI

WELL DONE STANHOPE TROOP!--CONCLUSION

Days and weeks passed.

In season and out, the boys of industrious Stanhope Troop worked. Never
had the good people known such a wave of enthusiasm to sweep over the
town on the Bushkill. It seemed as catching as the measles, this spirit
of energy, and a desire to do things worth while, which had taken
possession of most of the boys.

Parents got together, and conferring, admitted that this new fad was by
all odds the best thing that had ever happened. They determined to
encourage it to the limit. Even those who were doubtful at the start,
found themselves obliged to admit that never before had Stanhope
presented such a clean appearance; and not within the recollection
of the oldest inhabitant had boys been so obliging.

After the Stanhope Troop had been fully received into the National
organization an efficient scout master was finally secured in the person
of a young man by the name of Alec Gordon. He had lately come from
visiting across the water, where he had enjoyed the personal acquaintance
of several leading lights in the scout movement in England. Besides that,
he was naturally fond of the woods, and best of all, filled with a deep
love for the boy of to-day.

Under his guidance the troop prospered, and made rapid progress along the
lines started by Paul. The only trouble about the whole matter was that
Mr. Gordon, being a traveling man, was liable to be called away just when
his presence might be most needed.

Several times this had occurred, and feeling the need of leaving a deputy
to fill his place, he put it up to the boys themselves. Of course there
had not been a dissenting vote; and Paul was elected to play the part of
guide, should an emergency arise; and in this way he became assistant
scout master of the troop.

They need have no fear concerning his ability to fill the role. He
had proven equal to the task before now; and there were not a few,
particularly among those acknowledging the magical Red Fox as their
totem, who secretly cherished a belief that Paul knew more about the
secrets of Nature than any _two_ mature scout masters.

Every chance that offered the scouts were abroad, as busy as bees in the
honey season; only instead of laying up sweets these energetic chaps
sought new information. They followed the trails of fox, 'coon and
rabbit; they watched the habits of the noisy crows holding a caucus in
the woods; they kept company with the red squirrel and the frolicsome
chipmunk as they stored away the chestnuts and juicy hickories for their
winter's supply of food.

And on every occasion they labored to make themselves perfect in those
branches of wood lore, and the knowledge of useful things, which they
expected would play a prominent part in the approaching competition.

Just as Paul and Wallace had predicted, it was found that nearly every
fellow had a love for Nature and her wonderful secrets somewhere in his
system; even though with a few this breath had to be fanned vigorously in
order to keep it alive.

Of course they were annoyed again and again by Ted Slavin and his envious
followers; for the bully of the town had drifted back to his old ways, as
might have been expected.

When peaceful tactics failed to stop these malicious tricks, the scout
master personally appealed to the authorities, and a warning was issued
that, for a time at least, dismayed the disturbers of the meetings. But
when they could do so in secret, they never lost an opportunity to play
some sly trick.

Another thing that had been anticipated came to pass. This was the utter
failure of Ward's cronies to maintain any interest in the duties of
scouts. Those twelve cardinal virtues that must at all times be held up
before the fellow who expects to become and remain a Boy Scout in good
standing, failed to appeal to these rough and ready chaps. It would
indeed require a revolution in boy nature to make Ted Slavin, or his
crony, Scissors, trustworthy, loyal, helpful to others, friendly,
courteous, kind, obedient to his superior officers, cheerful, thrifty,
brave, clean and reverent!

Just a few days before Thanksgiving the scout master came to Paul with
the distressing news that he had received an imperative summons from his
firm to go out on the road; so that it would debar him from being present
when the long-looked-for-competition took place.

"But," said Mr. Gordon, as he shook Paul by the hand earnestly; "I firmly
believe that you will be able to fill my place so well that my absence
will not make the slightest difference," and Paul, of course, simply said
he would do his best.

The fellows of Stanhope Troop knew full well what that "best" meant.

But as the boys of Manchester Troop and that of Aldine as well, learned
through some of their energetic scouts, what a strong bid these patrols
of the Fox were going to make, in the hope of winning that coveted
banner, they seemed to be stirred to make new endeavors.

Paul managed to keep advised of pretty much all that was going on; since
this was a part of a scout's duty; though no mean advantage was ever
taken of the rival camps--he would not stand for that. In a quiet way he
had learned how their meetings became more frequent, and the desire to
excel, that had threatened to dwindle away for lack of rivalry, grew more
keen.

Paul was glad of it. Competition is the life of trade; but it also
encourages boys to do their level best. There would be a brave fight for
that banner; and no walk-over. The troop that won it might well be proud
of the honor. And Paul was still full of faith. He watched his scouts go
through their various interesting stunts with a growing conviction that
they must stand at the head when the day came for the meeting, and the
report of the committee appointed to make the test was declared.

He knew that fortune had been very kind in allowing himself and Jack to
make a heavy score in favor of Stanhope Troop. The stopping of the
runaway horse, and the saving of the baby at the fire would bring them
many points. Then there was the wonderful letter from Washington, on
official paper too, in which Mr. Jared Pender told the story of how much
he had been helped by the Red Fox patrol in his task of capturing those
desperate rascals who were flooding the whole country with their bogus
money.

But Paul was determined that, aside from the help afforded by these
glorious deeds, the boys of Stanhope should excel all others in their
knowledge of woodcraft, and the valuable things every boy with red blood
in his veins should possess.

So they kept up the good work after the scout master had left them.

Long since had Bobolink received his bugle, and William his drum. Both
proved very able in managing these musical instruments, and the shrill
notes of the one, and the roll of the other, had become very familiar and
acceptable sounds in Stanhope these fall days, when the first snow made
its appearance.

Already had they planned a great camp for the next summer, and there was
talk of a grand hike into the almost unknown, to them, country far to the
north. What strange adventures were destined to befall them during this
eventful outing, together with the fun that William and Bobolink afforded
the troop, will be recounted in the next volume, to be called: "The
Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour; or, The Mystery of Rattlesnake Mountain."

Even at school the teachers noticed that things seemed to move along much
more smoothly than ever before. Some of them were inclined to suspect
that a miracle had been wrought in boy nature; until it was shown that
there were still quite a number of transgressors, and that not one of the
bad ones belonged to the scouts. That opened their eyes, and after such
evidence they were one and all heartily in favor of the organization that
kept lads interested, taught them every noble duty that would make them
better men later on, caused them to be manly, heroic, self-confident in
time of sudden peril, and able to stand up for their rights.

Thanksgiving came at last.

The entire county showed a keen interest in the rivalry of the three
troops for leadership. Each had its sturdy backers, who believed their
home company to be the best; and hence when the choice of situation fell
to Manchester, it looked as though nearly the entire population of
Stanhope and Aldine had also gathered to cheer their favorites on.

The competition was keenly contested. A dozen different events had been
scheduled some time back by the committee, as the more important elements
that would enter into the struggle; and the scout master of each patrol
had been notified, so that he might select those most competent to
succeed.

Scout master Gordon, and later on his deputy, Paul, had been working with
those who excelled in these various lines. Nothing was left undone to
make them proficient in their work. When the critical time came, and
before the eyes of thousands they lined up before the committee to take
the test, Paul believed that success was sure to come.

Football was in the air for the afternoon; but that morning every school
flag fluttered in that densely packed field where the arena was laid.
Scores upon scores of pretty girls clapped their hands, and sang
patriotic songs that had reference to their particular town, whenever
a Stanhope, a Manchester or an Aldine competitor started to prove his
superior knowledge of the arts of woodcraft.

Wallace Carberry brought the first honors to the Red Fox patrol. He had
his quart of water boiling a full minute before either of his rivals;
and retired amid thunderous applause. Wallace would show up in several
other events, for he was the mainstay of Paul's contesting delegation.

Then came other interesting object lessons. Many present failed to
understand altogether what they signified; but they were patriotic, and
ready to cheer the victor to the echo.

On account of the lateness of the season several events that might have
taken place at another time were debarred, such as swimming, fishing, and
sports peculiar to the good old summer time.

Nevertheless, there were plenty of others equally as interesting. Three
boys entered as contestants in the rapid photography class. They took a
snap shot at a given word, darted into separate prepared dark rooms,
developed their plates, dried the same, each after his own fashion, and
presented a completed picture before the other competitions were done.

Meanwhile three others showed just how a scout should learn to follow a
difficult trail, where all manner of obstacles stood in the way. While
the crowd could not fully understand just how this was done, the
committee seemed unanimous in awarding the victory once more to Wallace,
for he had not made a single error, and he finished ahead of his rivals.

Others were set to work tying ten difficult knots, and the fun waxed fast
and furious as they worked their nimble fingers, keeping an eye on each
other the while.

In another place three tents were given to squads of boys from each
patrol, and at the word they set to work to erect the same, dig a water
drain in case of rain, and have everything in "apple-pie" shape. The
committee gave plain warning that it was not speed alone that would count
here, but the general ship-shape condition following the carrying out of
the conditions.

And again the boys of the Stanhope Troop came in winners by a good
margin.

Manchester drew a prize when the contest of landing a big fish came on.
A boy played the part of the fish, and fought with all his strength and
cunning to keep from being reeled in. But big Carl Evans, the Manchester
fisherman, proved to be too strong and able for those who competed, and
had his fish landed minutes ahead.

The archers then took a turn. Here Aldine presented a clever expert, who
had made this his especial hobby for some years. He could not be headed,
though the other fellows from Stanhope and Manchester really made a very
creditable showing.

One of the most interesting exhibitions of the morning, and one that
excited considerable cheering, was the "first aid to the injured."

A boy was supposed to have fallen overboard into the river. In each case
several contestants pretended to drag him out, placing him face downward,
with his arms above his head, and his face a little to one side. Then one
of the rescuers knelt astride the body, allowing his hands to press upon
the spaces between the short ribs. By pressing downward the air was
forced from the other's lungs, to creep in again when this was relaxed;
and in this fashion an artificial respiration was induced that should
grow stronger as minutes passed.

Of course, as no boy was so accommodating as to fall into the cold waters
of the Bushkill for the occasion, the contestants finished at the same
time. The committee, after mature consultation, awarded the victory to
the team accomplishing their work in the most business-like fashion.
Aldine was so fortunate as to receive the award, and her people shouted
themselves hoarse.

In athletics the three competing troops proved very nearly even; and
brought out rounds of cheers as they followed one another in carrying
out the several events scheduled.

Possibly when William proved his great superiority as a camp cook, by
making the batter, and cooking a luscious flap-jack long before any other
fellow could accomplish the feat, his victory was the most popular one of
the day. Fully five score of fellows made motions to prove they were
starved, and that a bite from the airy pancake would possibly serve as
a life saver. But after the committee had tested it, William calmly
devoured the balance, to the tune of mingled groans and cheers.

Last of all came the wig-wagging contest, when boys sent and received
messages fashioned by the committee, the nature of which was unknown at
the other end. In this Stanhope again made a record that put her boys in
the van, for Paul had secured and studied the army manual on using the
signal flags, and to good advantage.

After the twelfth and last event had been completed, the committee went
into session, examined the papers they already held, and finally
announced that Stanhope had carried off the prize with six clean events,
the others being equally divided between the two clever troops from the
other towns.

It was undoubtedly a popular victory, judging from the record-breaking
volume of noise that greeted the announcement. What else the chairman
would have said, with regard to the great good the establishment of these
patrols had brought to the county, was drowned in the wild clamor.

Paul, acting for the absent scout master, accepted the beautiful banner
presented by the good old Quaker who loved peace above all things. He was
immediately swept off his feet, and carried in triumph around the field,
waving the emblem that would from that hour stamp the Stanhope Troop as
the Banner Boy Scouts of the county.

Little Paul cared that some frowned, or that Ward Kenwood sneered as the
procession marched past. Close by he could see the happy face of Arline,
together with those of his parents; and it satisfied him to know that
through his unflagging perseverance he had been able to land his scouts
in the van.

Other trials and contests would doubtless have to be encountered; but
with that banner to encourage then the Fox patrols could meet each
emergency as it arose, and struggle on through difficulties to a glorious
success.

THE END of The Struggle for Leadership by George Warren

 

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CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I A Meeting in the Barn

II What it Means to be a Boy Scout

III The Disappearing Coins

IV The First Scout Leader

V Checking a Coward

VI A Strange Suggestion

VII The Trap that Peleg Set

VIII Turning the Tables

IX "Well Done, My Boy!"

X An Unexpected Offer

XI Caught Napping

XII The Rival Troops

XIII "Fire!"

XIV Jack's Chance

XV The Honor Brand

XVI The Fire Test

XVII Clearing Skies

XVIII Carlo Does His Turn

XIX The Warning Over the Wire

XX Such Glorious Luck

XXI The Meeting

XXII Scouting in Earnest

XXIII The Red Car

XXIV A Call for Help

XXV A Camp in the Woods

XXVI What Woodcraft Told

XXVII Ted Finds Something

XXVIII Forced to Tell

XXIX The Capture

XXX Found Out at Last

XXXI Well Done, Stanhope Troop!--Conclusion

 

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