“We like the place,” Jack said. “I vote to stay another day.”
“Same here,” chimed in Willie.
Mr. Livingston dug into his wallet and handed the motel owner two dollars. For a moment, the Scouts thought Walz intended to refuse, but with a shrug he pocketed the bills and told them to go back to their former camp site.
The Scouts busied themselves setting up the tents. They had no intention of visiting Stony’s cabin while Jarrett Walz was near.
“Keep an eye on the motel office,” Jack advised Willie. “If he leaves, that’s our cue to go to work.”
But Walz did not leave, and the Scouts began to grow restless. Finally, Ken and Jack, without entering the cabin, began to inspect the ground outside. Without much hope of finding anything significant, they searched for a clue to the identity of Stony’s mysterious attacker. Almost at once, Jarrett Walz came out of the motel office. His sudden appearance made it clear he had been watching them all the while.
“What are you boys doing?” he demanded.
“Thought we might find a few footprints,” Jack replied carelessly.
He stooped to inspect a large shoe imprint in a moist spot of earth not far from the cabin door.
“That’s from my boot,” Walz informed him.