“Queer that he didn’t know him by sight.”
“He’d never seen him—not even as a boy,” Mr. Hatfield explained. “It was quite humiliating for Mr. Merrimac to find out about Carl. However, he’s making the best of a bad situation, and I understand, wants to help him if he can.”
The Den Mother and her helpers had prepared a fine supper for all the Cubs. Dan and Mr. Hatfield were starting toward the table, when at the same moment they saw a newcomer enter the church meeting room.
“Why, it’s Mr. Merrimac himself!” Dan exclaimed.
The elderly man never before had attended a Cub meeting, and in fact, derived little enjoyment from social affairs.
Now his gaze wandered from Cub to Cub until he had picked out Dan and Brad from the group. Made aware that he seemed to be looking for them, they went over to speak to him.
“Well, boys,” he said heartily, “I believe I made you a little promise several days ago. And according to the code of the Cubs, a promise always must be kept. Right?”
“Right,” agreed Brad, smiling broadly. Already he had a notion as to what had brought Mr. Merrimac to the Cub meeting.
“You boys did me a big favor,” the man continued. “I never expected to see the color of my money again, but thanks to your fine organization I got nearly every penny of it back.”
“Jack Phillips had a hand in it too,” Dan reminded him.