Taking Brad and Dan aside, Fred reported to them that absolutely no progress had been made in learning the boy’s identity or anything about his past.
“Just as soon as one asks him a direct question, he pretends not to understand,” Fred complained. “It’s all a pose.”
“What does your father plan to do with him?” Brad asked.
“He hasn’t decided yet. This afternoon we’re going down to the Cave to clean up after last night’s meeting. We’ll probably take Jacques with us.”
“You know he’s a Cub, I suppose,” Dan remarked.
“A Cub!” Fred was astonished. “Why, no! He didn’t give us a hint of it. What makes you think so?”
Dan and Brad related how Jacques had grasped the former’s hand in the official Cub handclasp, mute evidence that he once had been a member of the international organization.
“He’s a queer duck,” Fred declared. “I’m sure he didn’t mention to Dad that he ever had been a Cub. Fact is, he’s kept mum about everything. Won’t peep a word as to his folks or where he came from.”
The Cubs discussed Jacques a little longer, and then Brad and Dan left, but not before promising Fred they would drop around at the Cave later to help with the cleaning.
Anxious to learn how much damage had been done the previous night to Mr. Holloway’s sailboat, the boys next stopped at the Webster City Yacht Club. From Midge, who loitered on the dock, they learned that the sailing craft already had been hauled to a nearby boat yard to be repaired.