Dan Carter And The Money Box Part 19

"Cub Scouts," explained Dan. At the other's blank expression, he explained: "It's an organization for boys who aren't quite old enough to be Boy Scouts. We have a lot of fun while we're doing helpful things."

"Our motto is: 'Always Do Your Best,'" Mr. Hatfield supplied. "Most of the boys do exactly that."

"Sounds sort of sappy to me," Jack said with a half-sneer. "Who wants to go around with a halo, always looking for good things to do?"

"It's more than that," Dan defended the organization. "We have a lot of secret codes and things. Right now we're getting ready to have a big Pack gathering based on the Knights of the Round Table. We're making coats of armor."

Despite himself, Jack was interested. But he tried not to show it.

"Kid stuff," he scoffed. "You wouldn't catch me being a Cub Scout. Every time you turn around, I bet someone tells you what you have to do."

"That isn't so," Dan denied. "Mr. Hatfield is our leader. Brad is the Den Chief, and I'm the Denner. Naturally, we make suggestions sometimes that the other fellows carry out. But we aren't bossy about it."

"Cubs nevertheless are required to obey orders and follow the rules," Mr.

Hatfield said quietly. "Society is built upon regulations. Otherwise one would have chaos."

"When one person defies or disregards rules, it means hardship for someone else," added Burton Holloway, driving home the point.

"To heck with the rules!" laughed Jack. "That's my motto."

"I fear such an att.i.tude may bring you to serious trouble one of these days," Mr. Holloway remarked with concern. "Better get on the beam, my boy."

"Say, I don't like these sweetness and light lectures," Jack said, his suspicions reviving. "Why'd you pick me up anyhow? You ain't a plainclothes detective?"

"No, Jack."

"You know my name!"

"Yes, Jack, we do. You're a runaway from the Child Study Inst.i.tute."

Mr. Holloway now felt fairly safe in revealing his knowledge, for the station wagon approached the Inst.i.tute.

As he pulled alongside the gray stone building, his young pa.s.senger recognized the familiar structure.

"You tricked me!" he shouted furiously.

His elbow gouging Dan, he tried to push open the car door.

"Let me out of here!" he cried.

"No, Jack!" Mr. Hatfield said, holding him firmly by the arm. "You ran away and you must be returned here. I'm sorry."

Jack fought like a wildcat for a minute or two, but found himself quite helpless in the grip of the two men.

"What'll you gain?" he demanded bitterly. "I'll run away again! I'll run away a thousand times! You can't keep me. No one can."

"You're only cheating yourself," Mr. Holloway told him. "Can't you understand we're only trying to help you? So is Mr. Wentworth and the other men at the CSI. The Court is your friend."

"That's a laugh!"

"If you keep on the way you've started, you'll end up in a boys'

reformatory," Sam Hatfield warned. "That, I can a.s.sure you, will be no fun. On the other hand, if you act sensibly and make an honest effort to cooperate, the CSI officials may give you another chance."

"Another chance for what?"

"You enjoy the outdoors, Jack. Well, I happen to know that Guy Wentworth was taking you to the home of a Mrs. Jones. The place isn't fancy and you'd have to work."

"Oh, sure!"

"But the house is at the edge of the woods, close to the marsh. You could fish in summer time, trap in the winter and maybe earn a little money."

"Like fun they'd let me do anything I wanted to!"

"I think it could be arranged, Jack. If you'll give your word to make an honest effort to get along with Mrs. Jones, I'll talk to Guy Wentworth in your behalf. How about it?"

Jack did not answer for a long moment. "Maybe I will," he said reluctantly. "I don't know-it's a lot to promise."

"And a promise always should be kept," Mr. Hatfield stressed. "That's the way it is with the Cubs. Once given, a promise never may be broken."

"Well, I'm not a Cub," Jack said defiantly. "I'm not anything."

"You could be a Cub, Jack. You could be anything you set your mind to, for you're a smart youngster with courage and determination. Well, what do you say?"

"What do I have to promise?"

"To go out to Widow Jones' place if the court elects to return you there.

Just promise to do your best, and treat her squarely. The same way she'll treat you."

"Okay, I'll give it a try," Jack agreed. "You got me in a tight spot."

"No, Jack," Mr. Hatfield corrected. "You've been in a tight spot for many years. I don't want you to feel that you're being pressured into anything. This decision must be your own."

"I gave my promise, didn't I?" Jack growled, squirming uncomfortably.

"And you mean it?"

"'Course. Want me to swear on a Bible or something?"

"No, Jack. We'll just shake hands on that promise. The Cub handclasp, with two fingers extended. Here, I'll show you."

The Cub leader demonstrated the grip used by the other boys. Then he swung open the car door, and motioned for Jack to step out. He made no further effort to hold the boy.

Dan and the other Cubs watched anxiously, fearful lest Jack make a bolt for freedom.

The boy seemed to be thinking of it, for he gazed up and down the nearly deserted street. Then, he drew a deep breath and faced Mr. Hatfield.

"Come on," he growled. "Let's get it over with."

The two entered the Child Study Inst.i.tute together.