William Mendel laughed an ugly laugh. “Do you take me for a fool, father?” he said. “I was only trying to frighten the children from going to the left wing of the castle. You know how exceedingly dangerous it is.”
“I don’t believe it’s dangerous,” said Sir David.
“Well, sir,” retorted William, “there will be an accident one day if you let people walk about in those rickety passages.”
Sir David shrugged his shoulders. It was not the first argument he had had with his adopted son about the left wing of the castle.
The Cubs were full of ideas about the secret room, and how to find it and earn the sovereign, as they went to bed that night.
II
AN ENEMY AT HAND
Christmas had passed, one long succession of delights, starting with a most generous Santa Claus and ending with a New Year’s party. Never had the four Cubs had such a Christmas! But during all this time they had forgotten the secret room. It was not until ten days later that the intended search took place. Tired and disappointed, the Cubs had come down to tea, and it was then that Uncle William had made his bright suggestion.
“There’s something more worth hunting for in this neighbourhood than an old secret room,” he said, “and you Cubs are just the people to find it.”
“What’s that, sir?” asked the Cubs, eagerly.
“Why, a German spy!” said Uncle William, with a grin. “And if you catch him I will give you each a golden sovereign—that’s a bargain!” The Cubs were thrilled.