“He wouldn’t build a fire as carelessly as this,” the Den Chief pointed out. “He’s had Cub training in how to lay his sticks. No, I’m more than ever convinced, Dan, that the fire wasn’t his fault.”
Decidedly relieved to think that they had found evidence which tended to exonerate Ross, the two Cubs traced the start of the fire. Plainly they could see where it had leaped over a narrow ditch and then moved in several directions.
“If Ross didn’t start the fire, who did?” Dan speculated as the boys started down the road again. “Our mysterious Ghost of the Castle?”
“Could be. I’d like to catch that guy who keeps horning into our pictures. Maybe we will too!”
“Any ideas?” Dan asked.
Before Brad could reply, both boys were startled to hear a babble of voices ahead on the trail.
“Sounds like a delegation,” Brad murmured. “I wonder if the Cubs have arrived for rehearsals.”
Rounding a bend of the road, the two boys caught a glimpse of four Den 2 boys who had gathered in a huddle.
Their backs were to Dan and Brad. So earnestly were they talking, that they failed to observe the approach of the two Cubs.
“Mr. Hatfield can’t and won’t do anything,” Dan and Brad heard Red say distinctly. “We all know Ross is guilty. So it’s up to us to see that he’s punished.”