Dan Carter And The Haunted Castle Part 22

Dan warned the Cubs as they started off to the waiting cars. "I suppose we ought to meet at Mr. Hatfield's house and all go to the bank together."

After the other boys had scattered, he and Brad gathered up the empty buckets. Several men who lived not far away had offered to keep watch of the smoldering woods area, so the Cubs no longer would be needed.

"I'd like to know how that fire actually did start," Brad remarked. "Dan, do you think Ross had anything to do with it?"

"Not intentionally."

"No, of course not. I mean, do you think he came out here last night as he said to clear up the brush?"

"I rather think he did, Brad. Maybe that's one reason the fire didn't spread terribly fast despite the dryness of the season. He could have dropped matches or something, but you were right in saying we shouldn't blame him. We'll probably never know how the fire started."

"Not unless we dig up a clue later on when we can search the area."

"Everything is burned over. Not much chance of that, Brad."

The Den Chief stooped to pick up the charred arrow which Mr. Kain had dropped on the gra.s.s. Carefully he studied it.

"You think that may have significance?" Dan asked after a moment.

"Maybe so. Maybe not. The arrow could have been lying out in the woods a long while. We know our mysterious Robin Hood has shot plenty of them."

"Say! That's an idea, Brad!"

"What is?"

"Maybe the fire was started by the fellow who has been roving around here-the Ghost of the Castle!"

Brad smiled, for the thought had occurred to him when first he saw the charred shaft.

"We know the Ghost is a very real person," he commented. "We also know he roams over this property and the Castle at will."

"He could be a tramp."

"I've thought the same thing, Dan. We certainly shouldn't blame Ross for that fire, until we've made as complete an investigation as possible."

"Let's see what we can discover right now," the younger boy proposed.

Brad however, vetoed the proposal. He pointed out that Mr. Holloway and Mr. Hatfield both were ready to leave for town.

"We're all tuckered out now," he said wearily. "Let's come back tomorrow.

Then we'll have plenty of time to comb the burned area for clues."

"Providing the bank sticks by its agreement," Dan added, sunk in gloom.

"Even if we do dig up our money, the officials may change their minds about allowing us to use this place."

The destructive fire was disheartening not only to Dan and Brad, but to all of the Cubs. Even if satisfactory arrangements were made for their continued use of the premises, they felt that they would remain under a cloud of suspicion.

Also, try as they would, they could not muster their former enthusiasm for presenting and filming the Robin Hood play. Without elaborate costumes and scenery they felt they would not have a very good chance to win first prize.

Mr. Holloway and Sam Hatfield also were troubled. It seemed rather unjust to them that the bank should hold the Cub organization responsible for the fire. Both offered to make good the loss themselves.

The Cubs however, were of one mind on this matter. They would not hear of the organization leaders a.s.suming the bill.

"Maybe Mr. Kain will soften up when we take the money to him," Dan said hopefully.

By pooling their earnings, the boys of the two Dens were able to acc.u.mulate twenty-one dollars and seventy-five cents. Ross was the only Cub to make no contribution.

"My paper route isn't doing well any more," he complained. "I've decided to give it up."

"While you're giving things up, you might cut out candy," Chips reminded him, noticing that even as he talked Ross was nibbling at a chocolate bar. "I guess you have enough spending money."

Brad gave Chips a warning glance and he subsided into silence.

Nevertheless, the seeds of resentment were deeply planted among the other Cubs. Nearly all of the boys felt that Ross was taking a most selfish att.i.tude.

"All set to go to the bank?" Brad asked the group.

The boys had gathered at Mr. Hatfield's house to pool their money. Now, accompanied by the Cub leader, they walked three short blocks to the bank.

At such an early morning hour, few customers were in the inst.i.tution. Mr.

Hatfield inquired for Mr. Kain and was told he would be found upstairs in a balcony office.

The Cubs trooped up the stairs, presenting themselves at the official's desk.

"Good morning, boys," Mr. Kain said, but his voice, they noted, was not very friendly.

"We've brought the money," Brad said, taking out his wallet.

"Oh, the money," Mr. Kain repeated vaguely. He frowned. Then he said: "I've been thinking the matter over since I talked with you. The bank feels that it would be better not to allow the Cubs to use the property again. We'll forget the amount you owe."

"But you said if we paid the twenty dollars we might finish the filming of our picture!" Dan burst out. "We've raised the money. We're keeping our part of the bargain."

Mr. Kain stirred uneasily in his swivel chair.

"I've made further investigation since I talked with you boys yesterday afternoon. A farmer who lives not far from the castle grounds, reported to me that he saw a boy in the woods shortly before the fire started."

"A Cub?" Brad demanded.

"Well, I suppose so."

"None of the Cubs were there!" Dan said indignantly. "We've all given our word on that. Brad and I were the first to arrive on the scene. The fire had a good start then."

"If it hadn't been for Brad and Dan, I think the bank would have lost their building," Mr. Hatfield interposed quietly. "To replace it at present costs would require in the neighborhood of a hundred thousand dollars, I should judge."

"The house has no such value as it stands," Mr. Kain said. "However, the bank is grateful to the Cubs. It's not that. But you see our position.

With so much at stake, we can't risk having irresponsible-"

"The Cubs are not irresponsible," Mr. Hatfield said firmly.

"Well, I'm sorry." Mr. Kain spoke with finality.