“What if we didn’t?” Red demanded, glaring at the Den Chief. “You had your chance to do something about Ross and you let it slide. Now it’s our turn.”
“And just what do you have against him? Let’s hear your evidence.”
“We’ve got plenty,” Red announced grimly. “The lug bought himself a fancy costume and didn’t kick in a dime to pay for the fire damage.”
“He was lucky enough to have bought his costume before the trouble developed. Why be jealous?”
“We’re not jealous,” Chips broke in. “We believe in justice, that’s all. From the way Ross acted, we’re sure he never did his work here as he was supposed to. Either that, or he came out and started the fire.”
“You seem a bit hazy as to what you think he did do.”
“One way or the other, he was responsible for the fire,” Chips insisted.
“That’s wild talk, and Dan and I can prove it!” Brad replied. “We’ve learned how the fire did start.”
The two boys showed the other Cubs the dead bonfire ashes, the tin can and the charred weiner.
“Ross wouldn’t have built a fire this way,” Midge conceded. “You’re right, Brad. We’ve misjudged him.”