"Look in Robin Hood's Strong Box. You will find something of interest."

"Robin Hood's strong box," Dan repeated, recalling the Castle chimney niche which had been given that name. "Well, what do you know!"

"This message seems to make sense to you, if not to me," Mr. Kain said testily. "Will someone kindly explain what is meant by Robin Hood's strong box?"

CHAPTER 16 Treasure

The Cubs were reluctant to tell Mr. Kain their secret, lest he feel that they had overstepped themselves in investigating the Castle.

"Robin Hood's Strong Box is just a name for a hiding place," Dan explained vaguely.

"Then one of you boys shot this arrow."

The Cubs looked from one to another. Each boy shook his head.

"A mysterious archer has been annoying us a bit by shooting arrows during our rehearsals," Mr. Hatfield explained. "This shaft looks as if it may have come from his bow."

"But how did he know about Robin Hood's Strong Box?" Midge muttered. "The guy must be psychic. Either that, or he sneaks around listening to our conversation."

"I am quite certain this arrow was not lying near my car when I drove into the grounds today," Mr. Kain said. "It has been shot in the last hour or so."

"It's probably a joke," Chips commented. He wished fervently that the bank employee would leave and be done with his prying questions. Once he was out of the way, the Cubs could organize an intensive search!

"You boys seem to know what is meant by Robin Hood's Strong Box. I rather think you're trying to keep something from me."

"There's nothing mysterious about it," Brad said, reluctantly deciding to reveal the hiding place. "Robin Hood's Strong Box is merely a name we gave to a niche in the fireplace."

"Inside the Castle?"

"Well, yes."

"Then you have been roving around inside again?"

"No, we haven't," Brad replied indignantly. "We found the hiding place long ago."

"Show it to me," the bank employee requested.

The Cubs would have preferred to do their investigating in his absence.

But there was no escape.

Unwillingly, they walked with him back to the Castle. Dan noticed that the broken window had not yet been repaired and remarked about it.

"I've ordered new panes put in," Mr. Kain said. "Workmen have been very slow. Rest a.s.sured though, the work will be done no later than tomorrow.

I am quite annoyed to find so much activity hereabouts."

The Cubs would have entered through the window, but the bank official would not permit it.

Instead, he unlocked the front door. A faint odor of smoke still lingered in the cool empty rooms, but this Mr. Kain did not notice.

"Now show me Robin Hood's Strong Box," he directed. "I can't believe this message is anything but a joke. Nevertheless, I want to see the hiding place that is meant."

As the Cubs led him toward the ma.s.sive fireplace, Dan brought up the rear. Glancing from one Cub to another, he noticed that Ross was missing from the group.

"What became of Ross?" the boy whispered to Midge.

"Why, he was with us when we started for the Castle."

"I thought so. He's wandered off somewhere."

Curious to learn what had become of the boy, Dan went to one of the grimy windows and looked out.

Ross was not to be seen anywhere on the grounds.

"Queer," he reflected. "I'd have thought ordinary curiosity would have made him come with the other Cubs."

"No one can tell what Ross will do, or where he'll go," Midge said with a shrug. "That lad is unpredictable."

The Cubs gathered in a half circle about the fireplace. Brad explained to Mr. Kain how the chimney hiding place had been found.

Before he could search the niche, the bank employee crouched down and squinted up the dark hole.

"Nothing here," he announced.

"You can't see the niche," Brad told him. "But if you run your hand up against the wall, you can feel it."

Mr. Kain obeyed instructions.

"Still nothing here," he declared. He withdrew his arm and brushed cobwebs from his coat sleeve. "Well, it's no more than I expected."

One and all, the Cubs were disappointed. They had hoped-indeed, had been confident that a surprise awaited them.

"Our Castle ghost has an unpleasant sense of humor," Midge complained.

"First he shoots arrows into the target just to show us how much better he is at archery than we are. And now this!"

Mr. Kain asked the boys several questions concerning the strange person who had appeared from time to time.

"We think he may have been the one who started the fire," Brad said. "So far, we have no proof."

"That might be somewhat difficult to obtain at this late date," the bank employee replied.

Smiling in a more friendly way, he turned to leave.

"Come along, boys," he said as they would have loitered. "I want to lock up the house."