He slipped away then into the crowd. Dan saw him join his father and they both went off together.
The crowd already was filing out of the gymnasium. Brad came hurrying over to speak to Dan.
“Say, we must work fast!” he announced breathlessly. “Mr. Greene and those church trustees are leaving!”
“They can’t do that until Mr. Weldon tells what he knows!” Dan exclaimed in dismay. “He’s supposed to identify Pat and his bunch!”
“We’re making a mess of it,” Brad declared. “This was supposed to be our big moment, and what happens? Everyone pulls out!”
“You stop Mr. Greene and the trustees,” Dan directed. “Take them to the clubroom. I’ll fetch Mr. Weldon.”
“Okay, but hurry,” Brad advised.
Dan started off in search of Chub and his father. He was annoyed at himself for having let them get out of his sight. Now they seemed to have vanished completely.
As he searched, Pat Oswald sought him, diffidently offering his hand.
“The Cubs played a dandy game,” he said. “You deserved to win.”