“What did he say, Brad?” Dan demanded as the Den Chief turned to face the group of Cubs.
“Plenty! We’re to stay away from the farm.”
“It’s just like we thought,” Chips declared. “Old Dobbs got to him first and gave him a line about us.”
“I guess so,” Brad nodded gloomily. “Silverton said we could consider ourselves lucky that he hadn’t notified our parents or the police.”
“The police!” Dan burst out. “How does he figure? Even if we did make a mistake and go into the restricted area of the farm, that’s no crime! He couldn’t turn us over to Juvenile Court authorities for that, could he?”
“I shouldn’t think so,” Brad said, frowning. “But there may be more to this than appears on the surface.”
“Meaning what?” demanded Red.
“Well, I don’t know. That’s what bothers me. Mr. Silverton acted as if we had done something serious. And you’ve noticed how the townsfolk here act toward us.”
“Dobbs may have been telling them tales too!” Chips said bitterly. “Why don’t we have it out with that bird?”
“If only we could see Mr. Silverton face to face, maybe we could make him understand,” Dan ventured. “Any chance he’ll talk to us?”