Dan Carter And The Money Box Part 21

"Not so far as I know." Mr. Hatfield was amazed by the question. He could tell that Captain Eggleston was leading up to a climax, but what it was he could not guess.

The police officer withdrew an ornamental b.u.t.ton from his pocket.

Carelessly, he dropped it on the table.

Dan noticed that the b.u.t.ton was an unusual one of black jet, cut in a diamond shape.

"Ever see that before?" Captain Eggleston asked.

"I don't think so," Mr. Hatfield replied, examining the b.u.t.ton minutely.

"Why?"

"Your wife allowed us to examine the study again. We found this b.u.t.ton in the drawer where she said you had kept the tin box."

"It looks like a b.u.t.ton from a woman's dress. But I don't recall that my wife has one with jet fasteners."

"So she said." Captain Eggleston picked up the b.u.t.ton and dropped it into his pocket again. "The b.u.t.ton may or may not be a clue. It's not much to go on in any case."

"You think the box may have been taken by a woman?" Mr. Hatfield asked in amazement.

"This b.u.t.ton is the only thing that points in that direction. It may have been in the drawer for a long while."

"I never saw it before. At least I never noticed it."

The policemen at last seemed to accept Mr. Hatfield's word that he had told them everything he knew about the disappearance. They asked Dan a few routine questions and finally left.

"I'll be jogging along too," Dan said. "If I don't get a move on, I'll be late for supper."

"Don't forget your roofing discs," Mr. Hatfield reminded him. "See you tomorrow. Meanwhile, don't worry about the money. Sooner or later, police will turn up a clue."

On his way to the door, Dan asked the Cub leader if he thought the jet b.u.t.ton had any real significance.

"I can't see it myself," Mr. Hatfield replied. "Though how the b.u.t.ton came to be in the desk is a puzzle too. This whole thing is a headache."

"It was my fault for finding the box in the first place."

Mr. Hatfield laughed and clapped Dan on the back. "Now, none of that talk, Dan!" he chided. "We'll get the thing straightened out. Forget about it and let me do the worrying."

Despite the Cub leader's admonition, Dan could not drive thoughts of the tin box from his mind.

That night, from his father, he learned that it was generally known in Webster City that the Cubs had found the box. Furthermore, a number of thoughtless persons were criticizing Mr. Hatfield for not having taken better care of the money.

"It's awkward that several people have put in a claim to the cash," his father added.

"At least two of 'em must be fake claims, Dad."

"I'd judge so," agreed his father. "But to prove it may not be easy."

On the following day, the Cubs met briefly at the church to compare notes on how they were making their suits of armor.

Mrs. Hatfield and Mrs. Holloway both were there to help the boys with the work. Brad was the only one who had finished his suit. In a burst of enthusiasm he had gone ahead, making a cardboard horse which could be worn over his shoulders.

"We ought to have the best Round Table of any of the Dens," Dan declared, his enthusiasm at high pitch.

At that moment Babe uttered a loud wail. In the act of painting a coat of arms on a banner, he had upset a can of red paint.

"Dope!" Chips scolded the younger boy. "Why don't you watch what you're doing?"

"I'm sorry," Babe mumbled. "I accidentally kicked the can with my feet."

"Just look what you've done to the carpet. The church will be making us pay for it! The trustees will say the Cubs are just a bunch of careless babies who destroy property."

"I _am not_ a baby," the younger boy said furiously. "It was an accident."

"Of course it was," interposed Mrs. Hatfield. "One we're quite prepared for too!"

While the Cubs watched in admiration, she wiped up the paint, and cleaned the carpet with turpentine.

"There, every trace is gone," she a.s.sured the crestfallen Babe. "Chips, a knight should practice chivalry, don't you think?"

"What's that?" he demanded suspiciously.

"It means being polite and courteous to others."

"Well, Babe was awkward," said Chips angrily.

"So are we all at times, Chips. Speaking of a Knight's code of honor, our Den should have one. Any suggestions?"

"We already have one rule," Dan recalled. "Be Always Ready."

"Let's work out some others," suggested Mrs. Hatfield. "Everyone think hard."

"Keep away from deep water!" Red offered eagerly.

Several of the Cubs snickered. Mrs. Hatfield, however, nodded her head approvingly.

"An excellent safety rule, Red. I think, though, we may find others which fit in a little better with knighthood."

"Knights did a lot of fighting," Midge said reflectively.

"Which leads us to this thought," suggested Mrs. Hatfield. "Be prepared always to fight in defense of right, or your own country."

"How about doing good for others?" proposed Brad.

"Excellent. Now we have three rules for our knights to follow: 'Be Always Ready. Be Prepared. And Do Good Unto Others.'"

"They're easy rules to remember," Dan said. "But to follow 'em may not be quite so simple."

The Cubs worked a while longer on their armor. As they began to grow tired, Mrs. Hatfield said it was time to break up the meeting. Before the Cubs left the church, she reminded them to keep working on their pledge list for the building fund.