“You weren’t running away again?”
“'Course not,” Jack said irritably. “I wouldn’t go away and take her rifle. I’m not a thief. She’s been good to me in her way—better than anyone else.”
“I’m glad to hear that!” Mr. Hatfield exclaimed. “I knew you had good stuff if you’d just give it a chance to come out. Now about the money box—”
“I don’t know anything about it.”
“But you hinted—”
“I was just blowing,” Jack said, avoiding Mr. Hatfield’s direct gaze. “All I know is what I read in the newspaper.”
The Cubs were disgusted. But Jack, they knew, did not abide by their standards of honor and fair play.
“Let me go now,” Jack muttered, getting up from the log. “You got no right to keep me.”
“Do we have your word that you’ll return to Mrs. Jones’ house?” the Cub leader asked.
“I told you I would, didn’t I?”