The boys circled the old church, noting evidence of extensive damage. With so many windows smashed, entry into the building itself could not be prevented.
Chips started to crawl through one of the larger openings, but Mr. Hatfield hauled him back.
“We’re in deep enough now,” he said severely. “Don’t make it worse.”
It was well that Chips was prevented from crawling through the window, for a few minutes later, an automobile pulled up at the side entrance of the building.
Terry Treuhaft and two men the Cubs did not recognize, came over to the group.
“The church trustees, I think,” Mr. Hatfield advised in a whisper.
His guess was correct. The two elderly men proved to be Elwin Maxwell and Joshia Brennan. The newcomers spoke curtly to Mr. Hatfield and ignored the Cubs completely.
Old Terry unlocked the front church door with a massive key so that the trustees could enter. Though not invited to do so, the Cubs followed close behind.
In the vestibule a marble statue lay smashed. Plaster either had fallen of its own weight or had been knocked in ugly patches from the walls. Pews were overturned, a stair railing broken from its supports and a stack of old hymn books scattered.
“You see what they did!” Old Terry said to the two trustees. “I’ve been taking good care of this place. Now look at it!”