CHAPTER 13 Kill-Joy Kain

Well aware that the other Cubs were out of sorts and annoyed at him, Ross immediately took issue with Red’s pointed remark.

“Is it my fault I happened to buy my costume before this place went up in smoke?” he demanded. “Why shouldn’t I be entitled to it?”

“Ross is right,” Brad spoke up quickly. “He’s just luckier than the rest of us. At least we’ll have one good costume for the play.”

“Yeah, but Ross should pay his share of the damage,” Red protested hotly. “After all, he’s as much to blame for the fire as we are—maybe more so.”

“What do you mean by that crack?” Ross demanded.

“You were assigned to clean up the brush in your section. Well, that was where the fire started!”

“I didn’t do it! Furthermore, I came out here last night and raked brush until I was blue in the face!”

“You probably started a little fire and thought you had put it out—”

“That’s not so,” Ross flung at his accuser. “You can’t prove it. I never touched a match.”

“Cut it out, Red,” Brad quietly advised the other Cub. “Ross’ word is good with me. You have no right to accuse him when you haven’t any evidence.”

“Okay,” Red muttered, rather ashamed of himself, “I guess I did speak out of turn. Sorry, Ross.”

The Den 1 boy made no reply. Turning quickly, he walked to one of the cars.

“We’re all out of sorts and dead tired,” Dan said. “It makes us all jumpy, especially after Mr. Kain came out here and delivered such a sock.”

“I’m sorry I accused Ross,” Red said again. “All the same, we know how he acts—”

“Never mind,” broke in Brad severely. “Mr. Hatfield is signaling us from the car. He’s ready to leave. I for one will be glad to get home and clean up.”

“Remember, we have to deliver our money to Mr. Kain tomorrow morning,” Dan warned the Cubs as they started off to the waiting cars. “I suppose we ought to meet at Mr. Hatfield’s house and all go to the bank together.”

After the other boys had scattered, he and Brad gathered up the empty buckets. Several men who lived not far away had offered to keep watch of the smoldering woods area, so the Cubs no longer would be needed.

“I’d like to know how that fire actually did start,” Brad remarked. “Dan, do you think Ross had anything to do with it?”

“Not intentionally.”

“No, of course not. I mean, do you think he came out here last night as he said to clear up the brush?”

“I rather think he did, Brad. Maybe that’s one reason the fire didn’t spread terribly fast despite the dryness of the season. He could have dropped matches or something, but you were right in saying we shouldn’t blame him. We’ll probably never know how the fire started.”

“Not unless we dig up a clue later on when we can search the area.”

“Everything is burned over. Not much chance of that, Brad.”

The Den Chief stooped to pick up the charred arrow which Mr. Kain had dropped on the grass. Carefully he studied it.

“You think that may have significance?” Dan asked after a moment.

“Maybe so. Maybe not. The arrow could have been lying out in the woods a long while. We know our mysterious Robin Hood has shot plenty of them.”

“Say! That’s an idea, Brad!”

“What is?”

“Maybe the fire was started by the fellow who has been roving around here—the Ghost of the Castle!”

Brad smiled, for the thought had occurred to him when first he saw the charred shaft.

“We know the Ghost is a very real person,” he commented. “We also know he roams over this property and the Castle at will.”

“He could be a tramp.”

“I’ve thought the same thing, Dan. We certainly shouldn’t blame Ross for that fire, until we’ve made as complete an investigation as possible.”

“Let’s see what we can discover right now,” the younger boy proposed.

Brad however, vetoed the proposal. He pointed out that Mr. Holloway and Mr. Hatfield both were ready to leave for town.

“We’re all tuckered out now,” he said wearily. “Let’s come back tomorrow. Then we’ll have plenty of time to comb the burned area for clues.”

“Providing the bank sticks by its agreement,” Dan added, sunk in gloom. “Even if we do dig up our money, the officials may change their minds about allowing us to use this place.”

The destructive fire was disheartening not only to Dan and Brad, but to all of the Cubs. Even if satisfactory arrangements were made for their continued use of the premises, they felt that they would remain under a cloud of suspicion.

Also, try as they would, they could not muster their former enthusiasm for presenting and filming the Robin Hood play. Without elaborate costumes and scenery they felt they would not have a very good chance to win first prize.

Mr. Holloway and Sam Hatfield also were troubled. It seemed rather unjust to them that the bank should hold the Cub organization responsible for the fire. Both offered to make good the loss themselves.

The Cubs however, were of one mind on this matter. They would not hear of the organization leaders assuming the bill.

“Maybe Mr. Kain will soften up when we take the money to him,” Dan said hopefully.

By pooling their earnings, the boys of the two Dens were able to accumulate twenty-one dollars and seventy-five cents. Ross was the only Cub to make no contribution.

“My paper route isn’t doing well any more,” he complained. “I’ve decided to give it up.”

“While you’re giving things up, you might cut out candy,” Chips reminded him, noticing that even as he talked Ross was nibbling at a chocolate bar. “I guess you have enough spending money.”

Brad gave Chips a warning glance and he subsided into silence. Nevertheless, the seeds of resentment were deeply planted among the other Cubs. Nearly all of the boys felt that Ross was taking a most selfish attitude.

“All set to go to the bank?” Brad asked the group.

The boys had gathered at Mr. Hatfield’s house to pool their money. Now, accompanied by the Cub leader, they walked three short blocks to the bank.

At such an early morning hour, few customers were in the institution. Mr. Hatfield inquired for Mr. Kain and was told he would be found upstairs in a balcony office.

The Cubs trooped up the stairs, presenting themselves at the official’s desk.

“Good morning, boys,” Mr. Kain said, but his voice, they noted, was not very friendly.

“We’ve brought the money,” Brad said, taking out his wallet.

“Oh, the money,” Mr. Kain repeated vaguely. He frowned. Then he said: “I’ve been thinking the matter over since I talked with you. The bank feels that it would be better not to allow the Cubs to use the property again. We’ll forget the amount you owe.”

“But you said if we paid the twenty dollars we might finish the filming of our picture!” Dan burst out. “We’ve raised the money. We’re keeping our part of the bargain.”

Mr. Kain stirred uneasily in his swivel chair.

“I’ve made further investigation since I talked with you boys yesterday afternoon. A farmer who lives not far from the castle grounds, reported to me that he saw a boy in the woods shortly before the fire started.”

“A Cub?” Brad demanded.

“Well, I suppose so.”

“None of the Cubs were there!” Dan said indignantly. “We’ve all given our word on that. Brad and I were the first to arrive on the scene. The fire had a good start then.”

“If it hadn’t been for Brad and Dan, I think the bank would have lost their building,” Mr. Hatfield interposed quietly. “To replace it at present costs would require in the neighborhood of a hundred thousand dollars, I should judge.”

“The house has no such value as it stands,” Mr. Kain said. “However, the bank is grateful to the Cubs. It’s not that. But you see our position. With so much at stake, we can’t risk having irresponsible—”

“The Cubs are not irresponsible,” Mr. Hatfield said firmly.

“Well, I’m sorry.” Mr. Kain spoke with finality.

“Then you won’t let us finish our film at the Castle?” Brad demanded.

“I can’t allow you to go there. As I say, I’m sorry—”

The Cubs waited to hear no more of his apology. Completely discouraged, they started down the balcony steps.

“It’s unfair!” Red stormed. “This bank gives me a pain!”

Unnoticed by the Cubs, a heavily set man in gray, which matched the color of his hair, had met them squarely on the stairway.

“What’s this about not liking the bank?” he inquired.

Embarrassed, Red stammered out that Mr. Kain wasn’t being fair to the Cubs. And he added bitterly: “That’s all the thanks we get for saving their old house!”

The remark troubled the man, for he said: “We must look into this. Come with me, and we’ll talk to Mr. Kain.”

By this time the Cubs began to suspect that they had encountered another official of the bank. They were sure of it, when as they approached Mr. Kain’s desk again, the man quickly got to his feet.

“Good morning, Mr. Hammond,” he said respectfully.

Mr. Hammond, the boys learned a moment later, was vice president of the bank. A man of precise mind, he first asked Mr. Kain for his version of the disagreement. Then he listened to what Red and the other Cubs had to say.

“I didn’t annoy you about this matter, Mr. Hammond, because you were busy,” Mr. Kain said uneasily. “I thought for the protection of the bank—”

“Mr. Kain, you lose sight of several facts,” replied the bank official. “First, the Cubs give their word they had nothing to do with the fire. Second, had it not been for them, the Castle undoubtedly would have been destroyed. And third, it’s important that they finish the movie they’re making.”

“I only did what I thought was best for the interests of the bank,” Mr. Kain said, his eyes smoldering with resentment.

“I have a nephew who is a Cub Scout in another city,” Mr. Hammond continued. “He’s a dependable youngster and so are the other Cubs in his outfit. I’ll take a chance on such lads any day.”

“Very well,” said Mr. Kain stiffly. “The decision is yours to make—not mine. However, I must say that it’s tempting fate to turn loose a pack of boys on the premises.”

“We’ll not turn them loose exactly,” smiled the bank official. “I assume they will be under the direction of their leaders.”

“That’s right, sir,” Brad assured him.

“Also, I’ll assign you, Mr. Kain, to accompany the boys and watch over the property during the filming of the various scenes,” Mr. Hammond added. “I’m sure you’ll guard the bank interests most diligently.”

With that, he nodded to Mr. Hatfield, and moved on to his own private office.

It was plain to the Cubs that Mr. Kain resented their interference. This, he indicated, by the cold formal manner in which he addressed them.

“You heard what Mr. Hammond said?” he demanded. “He very generously has allowed you the use of the premises under my supervision. May I ask when you will film the next scenes of your play?”

“Probably Saturday if the weather is pleasant,” Mr. Hatfield informed him. “By that time we should have costumes and scenery ready. I assure you we’ll wind up the filming as quickly as possible.”

“Very well. Saturday then, I’ll be on hand to see that everything is kept in order. Oh, yes, there’s one more matter—the twenty dollars.”

“Well, for crying out loud!” Red muttered, but at a stern look from Mr. Hatfield, he subsided.

Now all the Cubs were certain that Mr. Hammond had not intended them to pay the sum. However, they were too proud to argue.

Without saying a word, Brad opened his wallet and gave the money to Mr. Kain.

“There go our costumes,” remarked Red pointedly.

“Eh?” inquired Mr. Kain, busily writing out a receipt.

No one repeated the remark.

Brad accepted the receipt, and the Cubs left the bank.

Red and Midge were in favor of protesting to Mr. Hammond. However, the Cub leader would not allow them to do that.

“All the same, Old Kill-Joy-Kain is taking advantage of us,” Red opined as the boys disconsolately walked down the street. “He’s sore now, and he’ll see to it that we have no privileges at the Castle.”