Dan Carter And The Money Box Part 38

"I got nothing to hide," the tramp said with a shrug. "I've had a tough life, knockin' around the world. Sometimes I've had enough to eat-sometimes I haven't. For awhile I worked on a lake freighter. Then I got a bad infection in my leg. When I came out of the hospital, I was broke and discouraged.

"I began to turn things over in my mind, wis.h.i.+ng I could settle down and start a new life. Then I remembered I had an uncle here in Webster City that was well fixed. I'd never paid any attention to the old duffer, or he to me. I couldn't even remember his name. But I thought I'd drift out this way and look him up. Figured he might stake me to a new start."

"Who was your uncle?" Mr. Hatfield asked curiously.

"You'll hear in a minute. Well, as I was saying, I came out here and tried to look him up. I didn't have any luck. Finally I was down to my last dime.

"I was desperate. I tried to get help from charity, but was told they couldn't help me because I was a non-county resident."

"Never mind all these details," State Trooper Peterson cut in impatiently. "You robbed the Merrimac home?"

"Yes, I heard talk in a pool room that the old man had a strongbox. I noticed by watching the house that he was careless about locking his doors. So I watched my chance and slipped in. I found the box without any trouble. But as I was leaving, I saw a photograph that gave me a terrific shock."

"Mr. Merrimac's picture?" questioned the trooper.

"No, it was a picture of my mother. In a flash, I knew that I was robbing my own uncle, because he was the only person in Webster City who would have such a photograph."

"But you went through with the deed all the same?" Officer Peterson reminded him.

"I didn't have time to think things to a conclusion," the tramp said lamely. "As I was looking at the photograph, a woman came into the house to do some work. Seeing her, I got panicky and fled."

"With the money."

"Yes, I kept it. But right away, my conscience began to bother me. I'd never stolen anything before. The last thing I wanted to do was take money from my own relative.

"I made up my mind I'd return it and then try to get Merrimac to help me."

"What changed your mind?"

"Everything worked against me. First I made the mistake of hiding the money box in the empty church. It was my bad luck that the Cub Scouts had a meeting there before I had a chance to get it back again."

"You were the man we met on the street that night in the rain!" Dan identified him.

"Sure, I asked you what was going on. That was the first I knew the church had been reopened."

"Then later you peeked through the church window!"

"I saw a light in the bas.e.m.e.nt first," the tramp explained. "That gave me a real scare. But I had a worse jolt when I saw you kids had found the money and were counting it."

"You followed us in a car after we left the church?" Mr. Hatfield inquired.

"Where would I get a car?"

"Then how did you learn where the money box was taken?"

"I knew you'd either take it home or to the police station."

"So you broke into my home later and took the box?"

"I had to get it back."

"You dressed as a woman so you wouldn't be recognized?" Mr. Hatfield resumed the questioning. "You wore a black silk dress with diamond-shaped jet b.u.t.tons?"

"That's right!"

"You mean you wore my dress!" Mrs. Jones exclaimed indignantly. "Why, then you stole it from the shed! You've been taking wood too!"

"Only a little."

"All this time I wrongfully was blaming Jack," Mrs. Jones said. "And the boy never once spoke up to set me right!"

"After using the dress, I suppose you hid it in the hollow log in the woods," Mr. Hatfield commented.

"That's right," the tramp agreed. "For a while I slept in an unoccupied house near here. After the contractor drove me away, I had to throw up that shack in the woods. It was pretty cold at night."

"What about the money?" Trooper Peterson reminded him.

"There's not much more to tell. I made up my mind to return it to Merrimac like I said."

"But you never did?"

"I tried. Once I got into the house, but before I could put the box where I'd found it, someone rang the doorbell. I had to get out fast!"

"You could have left the money," the trooper pointed out.

"I guess so," the tramp admitted. "I was sort of rattled. I just crawled out the back window and beat it as fast as I could."

"After that, you didn't make another attempt to return the money?"

"I didn't know what to do. I used a little to buy food. Oh, I was weak all right-I admit it. But it's the truth I never intended to steal from my own uncle. I know you won't believe my story."

"On the contrary, everything you have told us tallies with the facts as we know them," Mr. Hatfield a.s.sured him.

"Well, that's my story and it's all there is to it," the tramp said, making a despairing gesture with his hands. "You may as well take me off to jail now."

The troopers escorted the man to the waiting car. As the man left the home, he paused in the doorway to direct a word to the Cubs.

"No hard feelings, boys," he said. "You fellows made it plenty tough for me, but I'm not blaming anyone except myself. I led a useless life and I got what's coming to me!"

After the car had driven away, Mr. Hatfield told the Cubs they must return to Webster City without further delay. So much time had elapsed that he was afraid lest their parents worry.

"Jack, we owe you a lot," he said, shaking the boy's hand. "Through your cooperation, my name will be completely cleared, and Mr. Merrimac will have his money again. Many thanks not only from me but from all the Cubs."

"Sure, that's okay," the boy replied in deep embarra.s.sment. He hesitated, and then with a darting glance at Mrs. Jones asked: "Are you going to send me back to the Inst.i.tute?"

"Send you back?" Mrs. Jones demanded with a quick laugh which had real affection. "Why, Jack! What an idea! I need you here to help me."

"You do? You aren't just saying it?" said Jack.