“I’ll accept your word, Jack. And here’s the rifle. When you return it to Mrs. Jones, why not ask her if you may borrow it now and then? She’d likely give her consent and you wouldn’t feel low and sneaking about it. Furthermore, in season you probably could help out by bringing in game for the table.”
“Maybe she would let me take it,” Jack said. “Sure, I’ll ask her next time. I promise.”
Mr. Hatfield smiled and reached out to shake the boy’s hand.
“Good luck, Jack,” he said. “You’ll do all right. I’m confident of it. I—”
An odd expression came over the Cub leader’s face. Without finishing what he had started to say, he stooped down to examine one end of the hollow log.
The Cubs then saw what had attracted their leader’s attention. A bit of water-soaked cloth protruded from the end of the log.
“What’s this?” Mr. Hatfield murmured.
As the boys watched in amazement, he removed a wadded-up garment. The Cub leader shook it out, revealing a woman’s black dress trimmed in diamond-shaped jet buttons.
“Why, that must be the costume stolen from Mrs. Jones’ place!” exclaimed Brad as Mr. Hatfield spread the garment over the log.
“Sure, the same one maybe that was worn by the thief who made off with the money box!” added Dan, becoming highly excited.