His dramatic, confident statement electrified and thrilled everyone. The Cubs scarcely could believe that the wonderful words had been spoken. Why, Mr. Hatfield never so much as hinted that he had learned the truth! How had he come upon his information?
Flashing a confident smile, the Cub leader took a long, fat envelope from his pocket.
“Documentary proof,” he said. “This is a letter from a man who was an eye-witness of what occurred at the old church. Rather, it is a sworn statement which he signed in the presence of witnesses.”
“Not from Chub’s father?” Dan cried eagerly.
“Yes, Dan. The letter came to me late today. Mr. Weldon and his son have left Webster City.”
“For good?” Red asked, sorry to hear the news.
“Oh, Chub will be back from time to time. His father had obtained an excellent job in a city about fifty miles from here. Mr. Greene, though, can tell you more about that.”
The Juvenile Court director took up the report. “Chub has been a ward of the court for some time,” he informed the Cubs. “He’s never been happy living in a foster home. When his real father claimed him, we were glad to reunite them. However, we had to be assured that Mr. Weldon could support his son, before sanctioning the arrangement.”
“Now everything has been settled?” Brad questioned.
“Yes, we gave Mr. Weldon permission today to take his son. Chub wanted to play in the basketball game, so they waited for that.”