"I don't believe boys are mixed up in it, Ross."

"Grownups?"

"That would be my guess."

Ross was inclined to make light of Dan's theory. "Oh, you're building up too much out of nothing," he insisted. "You'll find that missing paper in the morning. Mark my words."

"Let's hope you're right," Dan said as the two boys started for home.

Actually, he had no hope whatsoever. A conviction had grown upon him that the paper left by Jacques never would be seen again.

And with its disappearance had vanished his last chance to solve the mysterious coded message.

CHAPTER 9 A Missing Code

Dan was at the Cave before seven o'clock the next morning. Early as was the hour, Mr. Hatfield had arrived ahead of him and already had moved out most of the camping equipment which was to be taken to Skeleton Island.

"Why, h.e.l.lo, Dan," the Cub leader greeted him in pleased surprise. "I hardly expected to see you before eight o'clock."

"I scarcely expected to see myself," Dan grinned. "Fact is, I came to look for a paper I lost last night. Mr. Hatfield, I nearly broke the code only to have the message disappear!"

Quickly the boy related everything that had occurred.

"Ross and I agreed not to tell any of the Cubs," he added. "I figured it would only worry them."

"You're right in keeping quiet about it," Mr. Hatfield said at once. "I hadn't intended to mention it, but for several days I've had a feeling this place is being spied upon. Frankly, I don't like it."

"Any idea who may be doing it, Mr. Hatfield?"

"None whatsoever."

"Do you think it has anything to do with that message we found, or Jacques?"

"I've wondered, Dan. My mind is not at rest with regard to that boy.

Obviously he was a Cub, yet I've been unable to find any Den or Pack in which he ever was registered. Of course, he could have given us a fict.i.tious first name."

"It was miserable luck losing the coded message last night," Dan complained. "I'd just figured out the first word-'Coming'-when whiff went the light."

"The paper may be here. Let's make a thorough search."

Mr. Hatfield swept the cave floor while Dan searched every possible cranny. The missing paper was not found.

"Well, at least nothing else appears to be missing," the Cub leader said after he had checked all the camping equipment. "It seems that whoever came here last night must have been after that coded message. Dan, if I'd known this earlier-"

"You'd have called off the camping trip," Dan completed, guessing at his thought.

"Yes, Jacques must have had a connection with Skeleton Island or the name wouldn't have appeared on the paper. I have an uneasy feeling about going there."

"The camp will be well guarded with so many of the fathers going along."

"I realize that, Dan, but even so-"

"The Cubs would be terribly disappointed if you called off the trip now,"

Dan interposed. "Oh, heck, Mr. Hatfield, I shouldn't have told you about losing that paper!"

"On the contrary, you did exactly right. Well, I suppose it wouldn't be fair to call off the trip on such short notice. We'll go on just as we planned."

"Oh, thanks, Mr. Hatfield!"

"Don't thank me," the Cub leader rejoined. "Just keep your lips b.u.t.toned and your eyes open after we reach Skeleton Island. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, report to me. But don't say or do anything to worry or stir up the Cubs."

"I'll remember," Dan promised.

"Now lend a hand with this camping equipment," Mr. Hatfield said briskly.

"I want to have everything at the dock before eight o'clock."

Two hours later found the Cubs in their temporary camp on Skeleton Island. Tents already were up, balsam beds in preparation of making, and a trench fire started for the noon-day meal.

A beach near the camp sloped gently out into the river more than fifteen yards. This the Den Dads marked off with ropes and floats. Beyond was a somewhat deeper area, suitable for the more experienced swimmers.

"I wish we had a diving raft," Brad remarked, surveying the possibilities.

"Why not build one?" proposed Mr. Hatfield. "I saw some old boards and a log or two lying back in the brush. We easily can build a small raft."

For an hour the Cubs busied themselves carrying boards and logs to the riverside. Mr. Hatfield supervised the work, showing the boys how to fit the logs together to make a firm framework for the platform.

When it was ready for use, Dan, Brad and Sam Hatfield anch.o.r.ed the raft in deep water.

"I'm all tuckered out," Dan announced, pulling himself up on the platform to rest. "You know, camping is mighty hard work!"

"It is until your camp is set up right," Sam Hatfield agreed. "After that, it's easy. If the Scouts decide to buy this property, we'll have cabins and an improved beach. The brush will need to be cleared away. But it will make a first cla.s.s camp."

"I hope the Scouts decide to buy," Dan said, rolling over so that the sun would warm his back.

"The site seems ideal to me. It's close to Webster City. The beach area is unusually good, and the island has a natural spring. Plenty of woodland for nature trails too."

"You think the Scouts will buy it?" Brad asked. Seated on the edge of the raft, his dangling feet beat a steady tattoo in the water.

"That remains to be seen," Mr. Hatfield replied. "There are several factors to be considered."

He did not amplify the statement, for just then Midge's father called from sh.o.r.e to warn that lunch would be ready in twenty minutes.

With a shout of pleasure, the Cubs scrambled for the beach. Dan and Brad dived from the raft, racing each other in.