In a large, hard-to-read scrawl, the boy had written:
“Thanks for everything. Goodbye.”
Beneath the message appeared a crudely drawn Wolf cub, its sharp ears pointing to the final word: “Jacques.”
CHAPTER 4
Fluke Victory
Jacques’ unexpected leave-taking came as a bitter disappointment to Brad and Dan who had hoped to learn more about the boy.
“We don’t know where he went or why,” Fred explained to the Cubs as they reread the farewell message. “Dad and I carried a basket of trash down to the beach, leaving Jacques here. When we came back, he was gone.”
“That was only a few minutes ago,” Mr. Hatfield added. “Dan, you and Brad didn’t see the boy anywhere on the beach?”
Dan replied that they had observed no one.
“Dad and I weren’t away from the Cave ten minutes,” Fred further explained. “I can’t understand what got into Jacques. He seemed cheerful earlier this morning.”
“Maybe he was afraid we’d ask too many questions,” Brad commented, his gaze roving slowly about the room. “Say, isn’t there something different about this place?”