"Oh, oh!" Dan remarked under his breath, as the man came swiftly toward them. "His face is as black as the smudge on mine! Something tells me we're in for it now!"

CHAPTER 12 A Debt to Pay

Mr. Kain strode directly to Mr. Hatfield and the two cubs. The angry expression on his face left no doubt as to his att.i.tude about the fire.

"I might have known something like this would occur!" he began. "Boys never should be permitted to run wild in a wooded area."

"Just a minute, Mr. Kain," interposed the Cub leader wearily. "Don't jump to hasty conclusions."

"The bank property has been damaged. We happen to own the woods, you know. It was a mistake to allow your organization to use this land."

"You're a.s.suming that the Cubs started the fire, Mr. Kain."

"What else should I think? They've been here almost daily, having picnics and starting fires."

"That isn't true, Mr. Kain," Brad interposed, losing patience. "The Cubs have been careful about fires, knowing how dry the woods are at this time of year."

"We've eaten cold food," Dan added. "When this fire started, not a Cub was near the place so far as I know."

The two boys were righteously angry for they felt that the bank employee was unjustly blaming the Cub organization without having made any investigation of the facts.

Several of the fire fighters who had overheard the remark, were of the same opinion.

"That's right," spoke up one of the telephone linesmen. "Fact is, if it hadn't been for these two boys, the fire never could have been stopped.

The house would have been destroyed for sure. But they saw smoke and got help before the fire was too well started."

This information softened Mr. Kain somewhat.

"Is the fire out?" he demanded gruffly.

"Practically so," he was informed. "The leaves are smoldering in a few places. But there's no danger, if the area is watched for awhile."

"We'll be glad to do it," offered Mr. Hatfield.

Mr. Kain made no reply. Abruptly leaving the group, he went to inspect the smoking, blackened patch of burned-over ground.

Brad, Dan and the other Cubs watched him uneasily. From his manner it was impossible to tell whether or not he accepted their statement that the Cubs had not been responsible for the fire.

Their eyes red and smarting from the smoke, too tired to care much what the bank employee thought, they flung themselves onto the gra.s.s to rest.

Mr. Kain presently returned. Immediately it was evident to the Cubs that his anger remained with him.

"What's he picked up?" Dan muttered, noticing a charred object in the man's hand.

"Looks like a stick," Brad replied.

The object proved to be a half-burned shaft and arrow.

"This may or may not have significance," Mr. Kain said coldly, addressing the group. "I picked it up in the burned area."

"It looks like too large an arrow to be one of ours," said Dan defensively.

"You've been using bows and arrows here however?"

"Sure," admitted Brad. "We haven't been starting fires with 'em though."

"Nevertheless, the arrow convinces me that the Cubs have been roving through the woods at will, undoubtedly lighting matches and-"

"Cubs are taught to be careful about fire," Brad broke in. "Besides, we've told you-the Cubs weren't here today. Dan and I were the first to arrive."

"The fire may have been slow in starting-possibly it smoldered for hours.

But that's neither here nor there. The damage has been done."

"We're mighty sorry, sir," Dan said. "It wasn't our fault, and we did our best to check the fire quickly."

"I'm grateful to you for that, boys. All the same, you see my position. I am responsible to the bank. Of course you understand that I can't permit you to continue to use this property."

The Cubs gazed at Mr. Kain, dumbfounded. It seemed utterly impossible that he would send them away after they had worked so hard to save the Castle.

For a long moment no one spoke. Then Dan said:

"Mr. Kain, do you mean we can't finish the filming of our play here?"

The bank employee dropped the charred arrow onto the gra.s.s. He stirred uneasily under the steady, almost accusing gaze of the Cubs.

"I know it will inconvenience you," he said flatly. "But I have to think of the bank."

"Inconvenience us!" Chips fairly shouted, breaking into the conversation.

"If we have to go to another place, it means filming all the scenes over again!"

"We're already working against a deadline," Red added angrily. "Have a heart, Mr. Kain!"

"Sorry, boys. Is Mr. Holloway or your Cub leader around? I'll have to inform them that the organization is not to come here again."

Both Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Holloway had gone to one of the cars where equipment was being packed. Seeing the two men, Mr. Kain would have started off to intercept them, had not Brad stopped him.

"Just a minute, Mr. Kain," he said quietly. "I can't feel that you're being fair. The Cubs have been as careful as they know how to be in using this property. We cleaned up the brush and kept all of our promises."

"I'm not blaming anyone," Mr. Kain replied, ill at ease. "Boys will be boys. I'm not saying the fire was started on purpose. But you see my position. I'm responsible to the bank."

"If you feel we caused the damage, let us pay for it," Dan spoke up suddenly. "Just give us a chance to finish our play here."

The offer seemed to strike a responsive chord with the bank employee. He paused a moment to consider.