Dan Carter And The Money Box Part 9

"Remember that face at the window?" Dan reminded the group. "Someone saw us looking at the money. Maybe that's how the story got out!"

"It's very possible, Dan," agreed Mr. Hatfield. "Anyway, it's a relief to know that the Cubs all kept their promises. If Mr. Wilson can establish his claim, he's welcome to the money."

"He must have been dizzy to hide the box in a coal bin," Brad said, getting up from the davenport. "It doesn't make sense to me."

Mr. Hatfield told the Cubs that he considered it most important that no one reveal the exact amount of cash that had been found.

"Brad, Dan, Fred and myself are the only ones who know the correct total," he said. "But the rest of you have a pretty fair idea. The thing is-keep it to yourselves. If the amount should become known, well, it might make it easier for Mr. Wilson to prove a claim."

"You can depend on us, Mr. Hatfield," Brad said, speaking for the others.

"How about you, Babe?"

"Oh, sure," the youngest member of the Den returned carelessly. "I forget now how much it was we counted at the church."

"Midge isn't here, but I'll stop at his house and warn him," Dan offered.

The matter of the cash box having been thoroughly discussed, Mr. Hatfield told the boys his real purpose in calling them was to remind them to start working on the church building fund pledge cards.

"Call on your prospects as soon as you can," he advised. "Today if possible. We want to get that money rolling in."

"What about our plans for the Crusade?" Brad reminded him.

"You'll hear more about that at our next meeting," Mr. Hatfield promised.

"Meanwhile, dig up anything you can for costumes."

"I have an idea-" Dan began.

What it was no one learned, for just then the front doorbell rang.

"That must be Midge," Brad said. "Or maybe the police."

But it was neither.

Instead, when Mr. Hatfield went to the door he found Edgar Brakschmidt standing there, hat in hand.

The Cub leader knew the man only slightly, having seen him occasionally at church services.

"I beg your pardon-you're Mr. Hatfield," the visitor asked.

"Yes, I am." The Cub leader moved aside so that the man might enter.

"Come on in. We're having a Cub meeting."

"Oh, I don't want to break it up," the visitor apologized. "Nevertheless, the matter I came to talk about happens to concern the Cubs." Mr.

Brakschmidt laughed self-consciously.

"They haven't been in any mischief, I trust."

"Oh, no! Nothing like that. May I speak with you in private, Mr.

Hatfield?"

"We can go into the study if you like. However, if the matter concerns the Cubs, why not tell them about it also?"

"Well-all right, I may as well come right out with it. I lost some money recently-a rather large sum. Information has come to me that this money contained in a metal box, was found at the church by one of the Cubs."

The boys were listening intently, amazed expressions mirrored on their faces. First Mr. Wilson, and now a second claimant!

"How much did you lose, Mr. Brakschmidt?" the Cub leader asked.

"I can't rightly say. For months I had been saving it. The amount was considerable."

"And where was this money lost, Mr. Brakschmidt?"

"Why, in the church. I-I went in there a few days ago-day before yesterday to be exact-to see the pastor. I was taking the money with me to deposit in the bank. The minister wasn't there. I must have put the box down and forgot it, because I didn't discover my loss until later."

"Really, Mr. Brakschmidt, I never knew you to be so careless with money,"

remarked the Cub leader. "Where did you think you left the box?"

"In one of the seats," the visitor replied after a slight hesitation.

"That wasn't where we found the box!" Chips exclaimed. "Dan found it-"

Brad gave him a kick in the ankle, a warning not to tell everything he knew.

"May I ask how you learned that the Cubs had come upon a box of money?"

Mr. Hatfield inquired.

"Why, the news is everywhere."

Brad was disgusted. So were the other Cubs, who couldn't imagine how the word had spread.

"Babe, 'fess up," Red whispered in the younger boy's ear. "Did you spill it?"

"I did not," he retorted indignantly. "Cross my heart and hope to die!"

"Midge wouldn't tell," Red said. "All the other Cubs have given their word. It's mighty funny-"

Mr. Hatfield was speaking again. "Since the news is everywhere as you say, Mr. Brakschmidt, I may as well admit that the Cubs did find a little money. We expect to turn it over to police. If you have any claim, you'll have to take it up with them."

"You still have the money here in the house?"

"Yes," the Cub leader admitted reluctantly.

"Then why put me to the trouble of having to go through the police and perhaps the courts to prove my claim? The money is mine. If you return it to me, I'll give the Cubs a suitable reward, a very generous one in fact."

Mr. Hatfield had begun to lose patience.

"I am sorry, Mr. Brakschmidt," he said. "You'll have to take the matter up with police."

Mr. Brakschmidt argued for a while longer. Then, convinced that he was making no headway, he rather angrily departed.