Mr. Hatfield paused at the table to study the scratch pad on which the boy had been writing.
“Don’t give up, Dan,” he advised, resting his hand for a moment on his shoulder. “Worthwhile things usually come hard. Keep plugging.”
“I’ve tried every possible combination of letters. No soap.”
Mr. Hatfield studied the odd grouping of numerals: “020614 7552845 24.”
“Number 5 reappears three times,” he observed. “If only you could figure that one out, it might give you a start.”
“I’ve tried at least twenty combinations with no luck.”
“Well, don’t give up hope, Dan. Bring the message along with you to camp. Perhaps some of the Den Dads can figure it out while we’re there.”
“Guess I’ll have to,” Dan sighed. “I’d rather do it myself though. I have one more idea I want to try.”
Mr. Hatfield, who was ready to leave for home, remarked that the hour was growing rather late.
“Shouldn’t you break it off for tonight, Dan?” he suggested. “Remember, we leave early for Skeleton Island.”