The presentations were made at supper and the two tenderfeet were led (with rather sheepish faces) to Mr. Ellsworth at the head of the table and tendered to him in true birthday fashion amid much laughter.
Roy made a characteristic speech. “These two valuable gifts are presented to our beloved scoutmaster with twelve profit-sharing coupons. When you get one hundred of these coupons take them to Temple’s lot in Bridgeboro and receive a new scout.
“Honorable Charles O’Connor has always had brothers enough, but now he has a few hundred thousand more, so he ought to be satisfied. This priceless gift” (grabbing Connover by his pink ribbon) “was very difficult to procure; it is what you have always wanted. If it doesn’t fit you can exchange it. Honorable Bennover Connett is the only survivor, ladies and gentlemen—the only survivor of the extinct Eureka Patrol! The Eureka Patrol was a part of the only original Cock and Bull Troop of Nowhere-in-Particular. The records of this troop, known as the Dan Dreadnought Series, are donated to Camp Ellsworth for fuel in case the kindling wood runs short. Full and implicit directions go with each gift.”
It was a gala occasion in camp and the troop sat late about the roaring fire that night.
They were just raking up the last embers preparatory to turning in when they were startled by the sound of running footsteps, and out of the darkness emerged a dark-cloaked figure with streaming hair and glints of white under the heavy garment which she wore.
“I—lost the path,” she gasped, “and—and then I saw your—light—and-oh, Mr. Ellsworth—the house—was robbed and James—is shot and-there’s another man shot—and it was all planned for they’ve cut the wires—and we have to get help—a doctor——”
It was Mary Temple who gasped this shocking news and then all but collapsed from fear and haste and excitement. An automobile coat had been donned over her nightdress. For a few moments she was utterly unable to give a coherent account of what had happened at Five Oaks. The few minutes during which she had been lost in the woods, together with the appalling events at home, had quite unnerved her and she clung to Mr. Ellsworth, looking affrightedly about her as if she were being pursued.
He did not wait to get at the details. Something had happened and medical aid was needed. That was apparent.
“Did they send you?” he asked.
“No—I just came—I know scouts can do anything.”