Dan Carter And The Money Box Part 13

"That's what I can't understand. Unless perhaps your mother put it away somewhere."

Mr. Hatfield went quickly to the kitchen to talk to his wife. However, as he had feared, she had not removed the box from the desk drawer.

During the conversation, Sergeant Billings had listened without comment.

He now asked to inspect the desk in the upstairs study.

"You didn't have the box in a very safe place," he commented.

"Apparently, the drawer wasn't even locked."

"It has no key," Mr. Hatfield admitted. "I thought the box would be safe enough until I could turn it over to police."

"How many persons have been in the house since you brought the box here?"

the sergeant questioned.

"Well, quite a few. All of the Cubs except Midge. Then Mr. Wilson came."

"And Mr. Brakschmidt," added Brad. "He didn't go upstairs though and neither did Mr. Wilson."

"No one did except the members of my own family," Mr. Hatfield said earnestly. "I know that neither Fred nor my wife touched the box. But what became of it?"

"How much did it contain?"

"Two thousand, one hundred and seventy-five dollars."

Sergeant Billings whistled softly. "That's a pretty stiff loss. You're sure the box really is lost?"

Mr. Hatfield regarded him in amazement.

"I can't find it, if that's what you mean," he said stiffly. "Or are you implying-?"

"Well, it looks sort of funny," the sergeant replied. "You say the box has been taken, yet there's no evidence anyone broke into the house. Who knew where you hid the box?"

"Only myself."

"I guessed where you put it," interposed Fred.

"But you didn't touch the box?" his father asked.

"No, of course not."

"I a.s.sume full responsibility," Mr. Hatfield said in a hara.s.sed tone. "I swear I thought the box would be safe here-"

"I'll make a report," Sergeant Billings broke in. "Likely you'll be called to headquarters for further questioning."

"I've already told you everything I know about the matter."

"Yeah," grunted the sergeant. He arose to leave.

Mr. Hatfield was thoroughly annoyed by the other's tone.

"See here," he said, "I hope you understand I'm not trying to conceal anything. Why should I?"

"Two thousand a hundred and seventy-five dollars," the sergeant repeated thoughtfully. "A tidy little sum."

"You're not implying that I'm trying to keep it?"

"It's not up to me to figure out motives," Sergeant Billings shrugged. "I only ask questions and turn in the reports. If I were in your shoes though, I'd try to produce that box. Otherwise, we'll have to do a little investigating."

CHAPTER 8 Round Table Plans

Two days had elapsed.

The Cubs were worried and so was Mr. Hatfield.

Twice since the disappearance of the money box, the Cub leader had been called to the police station.

Each time he had been questioned politely, but detectives made it clear they were not completely satisfied with his answers.

"Three persons have laid claim to that money, and one at least has come fairly close to naming the amount you say was in the box," Mr. Hatfield was informed. "Furthermore, trustees of the church feel the cash should be turned over to them because it was found on church property. Now you say your home wasn't broken into to your knowledge, and yet the box disappeared. It doesn't make sense unless your own son or one of the Cubs-"

"The Cubs, one and all, are honest," Mr. Hatfield retorted firmly.

"Anyway, they knew only that I took the box upstairs. I told no one where I hid it. So let's keep them out of this."

The police had been quite decent about questioning the boys.

Even so, the Cubs felt that they were involved. Dan especially considered that by finding the box he had brought trouble upon Mr. Hatfield and the Den.

"Why did I have to go digging into that coal pile anyway?" he berated himself. "We wouldn't be in this mess except for me."

"Nonsense, Dan," Mr. Hatfield chided. "I'm glad you found the box.

Furthermore, we'll not waste valuable time worrying about the matter. The police are free to make any investigation they wish. We'll cooperate."

The Cub leader kept the Cubs so busy they had little time to think much about the missing money box.

In addition to soliciting funds for the church, they worked almost daily on their plans for King Arthur's Knights of the Round Table.

Den one in Webster City also would take part in the Crusade program. At the end of the month the two dens expected to unite their efforts for a gigantic knighting ceremony. Prizes were to be awarded the Den putting on the best display of talent.

In a determined effort to beat their rivals, the boys of Den 2 a.s.signed themselves a full schedule of work.

Aided by their mothers, the Cubs constructed armor of cardboard. The carefully cut pieces were painted with aluminum, bronze and gold.

Red and Chips decked themselves out in mesh-type trappings, fas.h.i.+oning garments of burlap which they painted in metallic colors.