“Why, thanks,” Dan replied, hiding his astonishment.
He shook Pat’s hand and then felt suddenly almost ashamed of himself. In another minute or two, he’d be accusing this same boy in front of Mr. Greene and the church trustees. It didn’t make sense.
“Anything wrong?” Pat asked curiously.
“Plenty.” Dan spoke in cold misery. But he couldn’t tell him the truth even then. This was the hour the Cubs long had awaited. If he weakened now, Den 2 might never clear its dishonored name.
“You look sort of funny,” Pat said, staring hard at him. “Guess you played too hard.”
Dan shook his head. “I’m looking for Chub and a man with him,” he said. “Have you seen them?”
“They left the church together.”
“Left the church?” Dan repeated in disbelief. “Why, Chub hadn’t even changed his clothes!”
“He slipped a pair of jeans over his shorts and went that way. They must have been in an awful hurry. The man just hustled him into a taxi and off they went.”
Dan stared at Pat, drinking in the words. Why, it was incredible!