Dan Carter And The Haunted Castle Part 12

The next morning, Brad and Dan set out to see how many jobs they could obtain for the Cubs.

After trying four places, they were given the promise of one small one.

With all the Cubs working, Brad calculated it would not take an hour for the boys to clean up the premises.

"We'll need at least another sizeable job to make it worth while," Dan commented as the two boys paused for a moment on the highway. "But where will we get it?"

Brad had noticed a well-kept property directly ahead on the right-hand side of the road. Orchards were surrounded by an artistically built wooden rail fence.

However, tall dried weeds had grown about the rails. Should a fire start from a dropped match or cigarette, not only the fence, but the orchard as well might be damaged.

"Let's try that place ahead," Brad proposed. "We could grub out those weeds by hand in two or three hours. It would make the grounds look better and eliminate a fire hazard."

The boys could not see the house from the main road.

Seeking it, they followed a winding lane through attractively laid out grounds. Presently, they came within view of a large white house with two pillars supporting the veranda.

In their immediate path was a small one room shack which evidently served as a gardener's tool house.

"Well, I hope someone is home," Dan remarked. "We've had a long, hard walk."

Even as he spoke, a short, wiry man in overalls came out of the gardener's house.

"You boys want something?" he asked, blocking their way.

"Why, yes," said Brad. He explained that he and Dan were Cub Scouts in search of odd jobs for their organization.

"Well, there's nothing here for you," the man answered briefly.

"We'd like to talk to the owner of the property, if you please."

"You can't see him. The master doesn't like visitors."

"Who is the owner?" inquired Dan curiously.

"Never mind. The point is, you'll find no work here. I attend to all the odd jobs."

"You do fine at keeping the property in order," declared Brad, his gaze roving over the well-trimmed shrubs. "But we noticed one little thing you overlooked."

"Oh, you did, eh?" Despite Brad's polite manner, the gardener was growing more and more irritated.

Trying to be as diplomatic as possible, the boys told of their need to earn money for costumes. They then mentioned the uncut weeds along the front fence, stressing the danger of fire.

"I have enough to do around here without pulling those weeds!" the man exclaimed. "What's more, I won't take it on."

"That's where we come in," said Brad. "For a very moderate fee, the Cubs will do a good job of cleaning them out."

"Oh, no you won't!" The gardener now was very angry. "You're trying to make me look bad with the boss. Well, you can't see him! Now get out of here before I let the dogs loose!"

"You have us all wrong," Dan protested. "We're not trying to get anyone into trouble. But the work should be done and-"

"Get out!"

Dan would have stood his ground, but Brad pulled him away.

"Come on, Dan," he said quietly. "We'll find another place. No use stirring up trouble."

Feeling very annoyed at having been so rudely dismissed, the two boys started away. They rounded a point in the road which blocked off their view of the gardener and the tool house.

"That stupid lug!" Brad snorted. "He's afraid we'll make him look bad!"

As the boy spoke the words, an object whizzed through the air. Flying high above his head, it lodged in a tree at the side of the lane.

"What was that?" Brad demanded, startled.

"An arrow!" Dan exclaimed. "Say! Someone is using us for a target! We'd better take cover!"

CHAPTER 8 Expert Shooting

Rather alarmed, Brad and Dan looked quickly behind them.

The roadway was clear. Nor could they see anyone hiding in the bushes.

They were certain however, that the arrow had been shot from that direction.

"It's a joke, I guess," Brad said a bit unnerved. "Either that, or the gardener is taking this way of getting even."

After a moment, the boys went over to the tree and pulled out the arrow from the tree where it had lodged.

"Say!" Dan exclaimed. "This looks like the arrow that was shot into our target the other day at the castle!"

"It is the same size and shape!"

"We're not far from the castle grounds either, Brad."

"That's so. You know, I don't like the idea of anyone shooting over our heads, Dan. The arrow may have been aimed high on purpose, but it's a dangerous trick."

"It sure is. Do you think the gardener would do a trick like that?"

"He certainly wanted us to leave. We didn't make any trouble about it though. So I can't see why he'd shoot an arrow."

"Even if he didn't, he may know who the archer is," Dan said, slipping the shaft into his pocket. "Let's go back to the tool house and ask him point-blank."

"We-ll-"

"This is a free country," Dan argued. "No one has a right to be shooting arrows at us."