“And you mean it?”
“’Course. Want me to swear on a Bible or something?”
“No, Jack. We’ll just shake hands on that promise. The Cub handclasp, with two fingers extended. Here, I’ll show you.”
The Cub leader demonstrated the grip used by the other boys. Then he swung open the car door, and motioned for Jack to step out. He made no further effort to hold the boy.
Dan and the other Cubs watched anxiously, fearful lest Jack make a bolt for freedom.
The boy seemed to be thinking of it, for he gazed up and down the nearly deserted street. Then, he drew a deep breath and faced Mr. Hatfield.
“Come on,” he growled. “Let’s get it over with.”
The two entered the Child Study Institute together.
Mr. Hatfield was gone more than twenty minutes. Eagerly the Cubs awaited his report.
“I had quite a talk with Guy Wentworth,” he said. “At first he was inclined to give the boy the works, but I convinced him otherwise.”