Dan knew that Brad’s reasoning was sound. Though they suspected Pat and the group of boys he ran with, they certainly could not prove it. Inquiry in the neighborhood, however, might bring to light additional clues.
Mr. Hatfield, unaware of Brad’s discovery, was still talking to Old Terry and the trustees. His efforts to convince them of the Cubs’ innocence was unavailing. The only concession that the church officials made was to agree that the Cubmaster might appear before the entire church board the following Wednesday.
Breaking off the conversation, the trustees drove away.
Old Terry, left behind, began to assert his authority.
“Now you boys get off this property!” he directed. “Haven’t you caused enough trouble?”
“It’s unfair to accuse us!” Chips said furiously. “We didn’t do the damage, and you should know it! Cubs aren’t hoodlums.”
“You wanted that freezer, and you didn’t care how many windows you smashed to get in!”
“That just isn’t so,” Dan declared. “We never did get the freezers. Like enough they’re still in the basement. Have you looked?”
“No, I haven’t.”
“Why don’t you?” Chips demanded. “I guess that would prove—”