Dan Carter And The Haunted Castle Part 28

"Then we've come upon a museum piece," remarked Mr. Hatfield.

"These coins are priceless," the bank man declared. "That is, if they are genuine. As I say, I am not an expert."

Greatly impressed, the Cubs pa.s.sed the coin around. Though it was badly worn they could faintly distinguish the figure of the archangel Michael defeating a dragon.

"A museum would pay a large sum to add such a coin to its collection. If my memory serves me, I've seen pictures of one of these angels on display at the British Museum."

"Where do you suppose the coins came from?" Brad speculated. "We know they couldn't have been in the chimney niche very long. The hiding place was empty when we looked there a few days ago."

"This bag of coins must be a contribution from the Ghost of the Castle,"

Dan said half in jest. "Say, you know he isn't such a bad fellow after all!"

In addition to the two very old coins, the collection contained several half dollars of U. S. mintage. These, Mr. Kain said also were valuable to collectors, though far less in demand than the rare angel and carlino.

"Many of the coins I am unable to identify," the bank employee admitted.

"I do know enough about money though, to be certain you have a valuable collection here."

"Say! Maybe we'll be able to buy costumes for the play after all!" Midge declared jubilantly. "How much do you think these coins will bring, Mr.

Kain?"

"That is impossible to say." The bank man returned all of the coins to the leather bag. "We must have them appraised. And then, the question of owners.h.i.+p arises."

To the Cubs the word had an ominous sound. They were certain the treasure had been intended for them.

Belatedly, they remembered that the Castle belonged to the bank. If he chose to do so, Mr. Kain could claim the property. From his expression, they were positive he meant to keep the collection.

"Owners.h.i.+p should be determined," Mr. Hatfield agreed quietly. "It doesn't seem reasonable to me that anyone in his right mind would give away such highly valuable coins."

"If ever we find that mysterious archer, we'll have the answer," Dan declared.

Mr. Kain, in a far better mood now that the coins had been discovered, urged the Cubs to tell him what they knew of the trespa.s.ser.

"We don't see him very often but we know he watches us when we rehea.r.s.e for our play," Dan answered. "Several times he's shot arrows and he's very good with a bow."

"Have you ever had a good look at the man?"

"We're inclined to think he may be a boy," Mr. Holloway spoke up. "At least in one of the movie scenes, we caught a fleeting glimpse of him."

"A boy, eh?" Mr. Kain repeated, fingering the bag of coins. "In that case, he might not have a right to this collection. It could have been stolen."

"Gosh, that's right!" exclaimed Red, rather alarmed. "We don't want to get mixed up in anything shady."

"You won't be," Mr. Kain a.s.sured the Cubs. "I'll take charge of these coins-for the bank of course. I'll make every effort to trace the owner."

"And if you fail?" asked Brad significantly.

"Well, if the owner can't be found after a reasonable length of time, the coins will become bank property."

"Even when Dan found 'em?" Chips asked indignantly.

"I fear you are unfamiliar with the laws governing property," Mr. Kain said. "Now the statutes of this state say-"

The Cubs were never to learn what the state laws set forth, for at that moment there came an interruption.

The Cubs were startled to hear a sharp rattle on a window pane.

"What was that?" Fred demanded.

Everyone turned to look. Someone stood at the living room, his face pressed against the window.

"The ghost!" exclaimed Chips.

"A ghost, my Adam's apple!" Brad snorted. "That's Ross Langdon. He only wants to see what we're doing in here."

On this latter point, however, the Den Chief was mistaken.

Instead of trying to learn what the Cubs were doing, the Den 1 boy frantically motioned for the group to join him.

"What ails Ross, anyhow?" Midge muttered.

As the boy's strange antics continued, the Cubs became convinced that something actually was wrong.

"Let's see what he wants," Dan said, starting for the door.

Ross ran around the side of the house to meet him.

"Dan, come quick!" he urged breathlessly.

"What's up, Ross?"

"I saw him!"

"Saw whom, Ross?"

"That little guy that shoots arrows!"

"Where, Ross?" Dan now became excited, for in view of the bag of coins that had been found, he knew it was vitally important to catch the intruder.

Before Ross could answer, the other Cubs, Mr. Kain, Mr. Holloway and Sam Hatfield gathered around him.

"When you all started here to see what was in Robin Hood's Strong Box, I hid out," Ross explained, talking rapidly. "I figured whoever shot that arrow must be hiding close by. I thought he'd probably show himself once everyone was inside the Castle."

"Sound reasoning," interposed Mr. Hatfield.

"I hid in the bushes. Sure enough. I hadn't been lying low many minutes when out pops a kid no older than Dan here. He had a bow in his hand so I know he was the one we're after."

"What did he do?" Dan demanded impatiently.

"Well, he sneaked fairly close to the Castle and raised his bow as if to shoot. I thought he was going to send an arrow flying through the broken window."