“Take it easy, boys,” he said. “It’s only the wind rattling a window. The money’s safe enough.”
Despite reassurance, the Cubs were uneasy as they followed their leader up the creaking stairs.
If the box were gone—
Mr. Hatfield opened the door of the study. Every eye focused upon the table.
The box of money was exactly where it had been left.
“Well, that’s a relief,” Mr. Hatfield admitted, chuckling at his own uneasiness. “I’ll acknowledge that hearing the window rattle gave me a most uncomfortable feeling.”
“How much do you suppose is here?” Dan speculated, fingering one of the packages. “Shall we count it?”
“Well—” the Cub leader hesitated. “I’m not too eager to stay here in an empty church with so much money. But then, go ahead. The job shouldn’t take long.”
The Cubs seated themselves at the table. Mr. Hatfield began to count, while the Cubs checked his work.
Since the onset of colder weather, Den 2 had made use of the church as a meeting place for both Den and Pack gatherings.