“The fire may have been slow in starting—possibly it smoldered for hours. But that’s neither here nor there. The damage has been done.”
“We’re mighty sorry, sir,” Dan said. “It wasn’t our fault, and we did our best to check the fire quickly.”
“I’m grateful to you for that, boys. All the same, you see my position. I am responsible to the bank. Of course you understand that I can’t permit you to continue to use this property.”
The Cubs gazed at Mr. Kain, dumbfounded. It seemed utterly impossible that he would send them away after they had worked so hard to save the Castle.
For a long moment no one spoke. Then Dan said:
“Mr. Kain, do you mean we can’t finish the filming of our play here?”
The bank employee dropped the charred arrow onto the grass. He stirred uneasily under the steady, almost accusing gaze of the Cubs.
“I know it will inconvenience you,” he said flatly. “But I have to think of the bank.”
“Inconvenience us!” Chips fairly shouted, breaking into the conversation. “If we have to go to another place, it means filming all the scenes over again!”
“We’re already working against a deadline,” Red added angrily. “Have a heart, Mr. Kain!”