Mr. Merrimac pursued the boys to the door. Eagerly he plied them for more information. Dan and Brad, however, were in no mood to be pumped.
“You’ll have to see Mr. Hatfield or the police about it,” Brad told him firmly. “It’s none of our affair. We merely came here in the interests of the building fund campaign.”
“Oh, yes, the building fund,” the old man recalled. “Boys, if you’ll help me recover my money, I’ll make it right with you. I’ll pledge the five hundred dollars. I might even give more.”
Brad and Dan had reached the end of their patience.
“Thanks, Mr. Merrimac,” Dan said dryly. “We’ll remember.”
Scarcely bidding the old man goodbye, the two Cubs hurriedly left the house.
Once beyond hearing, they gave vent to their feelings.
“Three claimants now!” Dan exclaimed. “This positively is the last straw!”
“We come here to get a pledge from old Money Bags, and what does he do?” Brad added. “Why, he turns around and tries to file claim to the money box. I give up!”