“Sorry,” said the Scout kindly, “there’s a Court of Honour sitting just now. Come another time.”
But here the Chairman’s voice broke in.
“Bring the kid in,” he called. “Let’s hear the ‘important’ matter!”
Danny entered the brightly lighted room shyly. The eight Leaders and Seconds stared at him. Then one of them, Fred Codding’s big brother, burst into a shout of laughter.
“Hullo!” he cried, “it’s ‘Danny the Detective!’ I hear from my young brother that he’s got a wonderful yarn about a mysterious stranger and a bike and a pond!”
Danny flushed. Then he looked straight at Patrol-Leader Codding.
“Your brother wouldn’t believe me,” he said, “but I’m a Wolf Cub, and I wouldn’t tell a lie for anything. It’s the truth, and that’s what I’ve come about.”
The Patrol-Leaders smiled.
“All right, youngster,” said the Chairman, “sit down. And when we’ve done the job we’re on now, you can make your report.”
Danny sat down, wishing himself a hundred miles away. Presently the Chairman called him up.