Dan Carter And The Haunted Castle Part 16

The two boys sought the Den 1 Cub, who at the moment was being measured for his sheriff's costume. His paper route had provided a substantial sum for the purchase of materials which Mrs. Holloway had offered to sew.

Ross, however, could not make up his mind whether he wanted a home-made costume or one he might purchase.

"I think I could make you a very nice outfit," Mrs. Holloway told the boy.

"I want a jerkin and seagreen hose," Ross declared. "Also a cap with a feather."

"Don't you think we should omit the feather?" Mrs. Holloway suggested.

"After all, it won't do for you to look too much like Robin Hood."

"Yes, but I want a feather," Ross argued. "Can't I have it?"

Before Mrs. Holloway could answer, Brad and Dan came up.

"If the fitting is over, we want to see you a minute," Brad said to the boy.

"What for?" he demanded suspiciously.

"Oh, you'll find out," Brad said.

Mrs. Holloway, whose patience had been worn by Ross' insistent demands, declared that she had finished taking measurements. Rather reluctantly, the Den 1 boy followed Brad and Dan across the clearing.

"Where you taking me?" he asked.

"Just come along," Brad returned shortly.

As the boys rounded the castle, Ross began to catch on to what was in store.

"Oh, you're going to rag me about not getting the brush cleaned up," he guessed. "Well, I've been too busy with my paper route. Three customers kicked yesterday because their papers were delivered late. I've no time to be doing grubby work out here."

"The rest of us have work too," Brad retorted. "By not doing what you were supposed to, you got us in bad with Mr. Kain."

"Unless the brush is cleared away by tomorrow night, the Cubs stand to lose the use of this property," Dan added severely.

"Wouldn't that be too bad?" Ross drawled. "Then you wouldn't get the role of Robin Hood!"

Brad whirled around to glare at the Den 1 boy.

"You're acting like a spoiled brat, Ross!" he said curtly. "You promised to clear your section of land and you're going to do it or get out of the Pack! We don't want a Cub who doesn't do his part or keep a promise."

The words shocked Ross. "You wouldn't kick me out-" he stammered, and then with more confidence, he added: "You couldn't anyhow! You haven't the authority."

"Wait until Mr. Hatfield hears about this!"

"So you're a tattler, Brad?"

"No, I'm not," the Den Chief replied hotly. "I just want to bring you to a realization of your responsibility to the organization."

"Aw, you're taking it too seriously."

"It will be a serious matter if we lose this site after all the work we've done here."

"Oh, keep your shirt on!" Ross retorted. Angrily, he turned and started away from the two boys.

"You're refusing to do the work?" Brad called after him.

"Who said I was?" Ross flung over his shoulder. "It will be done. Just don't rush me."

CHAPTER 10 Checking Up on Ross

Ross' exasperating reply left Dan and Brad as much in doubt as ever.

Was the Den 1 boy merely putting them aside, or did he intend to do the work a.s.signed to him?

"Let's report him to Mr. Hatfield," Dan proposed. "He's stalling."

Brad was unwilling to trouble the Cub leader about the matter unless he found it impossible to reason with Ross.

"I think he intends to clean up the brush," he said. "He only wants to keep us uneasy about it and guessing."

"Why don't we do the job ourselves?"

"Because that's exactly what Ross is hoping we'll do."

"I suppose so, Brad. But we gave our word to Mr. Kain the work would be done. I'd rather let Ross have the laugh on us than break a promise."

"So would I, Dan. But I have a hunch Ross is only playing possum on us.

Tell you what! Let's let the matter go until tomorrow. If he hasn't done the job by then, we'll do it ourselves and report him to Mr. Hatfield."

"Suits me, only I'm in favor of reporting him right now."

"We could," the Den Chief agreed reluctantly. "It seems a little like tattling though. Also, if Mr. Hatfield finds out how Ross has acted, he might ask him to resign from the Cubs. That would be tough on him. Ross wants to stay in the organization, even if he does do a lot of crabbing."

"Okay, give him another chance," Dan consented. "He isn't a bad sort except for being lazy and conceited."

The boys agreed to meet the next afternoon at 2 P.M. at Brad's home. If unable to catch a ride they would hike to the Castle grounds.

"It shouldn't take the two of us more than three hours to clean up the section, if Ross fails to do it," Dan declared. "Suppose we'll run into the Ghost of the Castle?"

"Say, that reminds me! I want to compare those arrows that were shot into the target today with the one we picked up at the gardener's place."

"I already have, Brad."

"Do they match?"