“You’re a hero, Dan,” Brad told him proudly. “Why, you brought that gang to heel single-handed!”
“Don’t give me that line,” Dan laughed. “I was just an unwilling passenger. Jacques was the one who brought about the capture. To do it he had to turn his own uncle in and risk prison himself. That kid sure has what it takes.”
“He’s a Cub too,” Brad said proudly. “He joined in France. Mr. Hatfield’s trying to make arrangements to keep him here in Webster City.”
“Maybe he’ll join our Den!”
“Here’s hoping. He’ll be a live wire, that’s certain.”
As both boys knew, Jacques had been released on probation to Mr. Hatfield. Temporarily, the French lad was living in the Cub leader’s home where he would remain until called to testify in court.
Three days elapsed. At the end of that time the Cubs were elated to learn that Paper Bag Eddie had been captured in a neighboring city. Thereafter, one by one, other members of the ring were arrested and returned to Webster City to face charges.
“Now that the entire gang is in the jug, I feel a lot safer,” Dan remarked one night to Brad. The two boys had arrived early at the Cave prior to a Den meeting at which Jacques was to be taken in as a member. “For awhile, I couldn’t look a sack of popcorn in the face!”
One by one, the Cubs and their parents began to arrive for the meeting. Mr. Hatfield started it off with a little talk. First he told the boys how proud he was that Den 2 had won the swimming meet and the silver trophy which now graced a table in the Cave.
Next the Cub leader paid tribute to Dan for his coolness in the face of danger. Finally he spoke of the Cub ideals and the honor of the organization.