“Mr. Hatfield probably could help you find work,” Brad offered. “He’s our Cub leader.”
“I’ll find work all right, son. Fact is, I don’t plan on staying in this town very long. Not unless—”
“Unless what?” Brad caught him up.
“Well, it depends on a certain matter. My own private affairs.” Deliberately, the man changed the subject. “Tell me about the Cubs,” he requested. “Do you like the organization.”
“It’s the best in the world,” Dan said proudly.
“Don’t you have a boy in your den by the name of Chub?”
“Sure,” Dan agreed. “He’s new. You must know him. I saw you talking to him the other night at the basketball game.”
“He’s a lot like my own son. I had a boy once.”
“I see,” Dan murmured. He remained silent, reflecting that in appearance Chub might have been related to this stranger. Although the color of their hair and eyes was different, the contour of their faces was much the same. A coincidence, of course. But why was this man so interested in Chub?
“I don’t mind telling you about myself,” the man said after a long hesitation. “First of all, I have no criminal record. I’ve stolen nothing and broken no law, except that I’ve trespassed on this property.”