Dan Carter and the Cub Honor Part 36

"Doc.u.mentary proof," he said. "This is a letter from a man who was an eye-witness of what occurred at the old church. Rather, it is a sworn statement which he signed in the presence of witnesses."

"Not from Chub's father?" Dan cried eagerly.

"Yes, Dan. The letter came to me late today. Mr. Weldon and his son have left Webster City."

"For good?" Red asked, sorry to hear the news.

"Oh, Chub will be back from time to time. His father had obtained an excellent job in a city about fifty miles from here. Mr. Greene, though, can tell you more about that."

The Juvenile Court director took up the report. "Chub has been a ward of the court for some time," he informed the Cubs. "He's never been happy living in a foster home. When his real father claimed him, we were glad to reunite them. However, we had to be a.s.sured that Mr. Weldon could support his son, before sanctioning the arrangement."

"Now everything has been settled?" Brad questioned.

"Yes, we gave Mr. Weldon permission today to take his son. Chub wanted to play in the basketball game, so they waited for that."

"Why didn't he come and say goodbye?" Chips demanded, hurt.

"I can answer that," Mr. Hatfield replied. "He was afraid he'd break down if he stayed. Anyway he and his father had to catch a train. He left a note though, for the Cubs. We'll read it at a closed meeting of the organization."

"Let me see that signed doc.u.ment," Mr. Maxwell directed. "The one you say was signed by an eye witness to happenings at the old church."

Mr. Hatfield offered him the sheet of paper which bore a notary's seal.

It was a doc.u.ment, the Cubs knew, which would stand up in any court.

In grim silence Mr. Maxwell read the statement. Then he handed it over to Mr. Brennan.

"I'm sure you must agree now that you have no case against the Cubs," Mr.

Hatfield said.

"Maybe we haven't," Mr. Maxwell admitted reluctantly. "We'll drop our suit. But these other boys ought to be locked up!"

Mr. Greene said in an even voice: "If you insist upon preferring charges, the court will consider them. However, our investigation already has disclosed that the building often was left unlocked. Terry Treuhaft was not the most careful caretaker."

"Well, someone ought to pay for the damage!" Mr. Maxwell muttered.

"Isn't it true that the building has been sold?" Mr. Greene pursued the matter. "I was informed today that the trustees have disposed of the old church at a very high figure. I was given to understand that the structure will be demolished, the materials salvaged and another building constructed."

Mr. Maxwell drew in his breath, astonished by the Court director's knowledge. Then surprisingly, he relaxed and smiled.

"It is true, we have sold the building," he admitted. "You're right. We can afford to forgive and forget."

After that, everyone suddenly seemed in good humor. Mrs. Hatfield pressed a cup of chocolate into Mr. Maxwell's hand, while Midge's mother urged Mr. Brennan to have "just one more cookie." Soon everyone was laughing and talking together, and past events were entirely forgotten.

Pat and the other Purple Five players would have slipped away, had Dan not stopped them. They too were urged to remain for music and refreshments.

"I guess they aren't going to send me to jail after all," Pat said, sipping his hot chocolate with keen enjoyment. "It was a close call though!"

"Better be careful in the future," Dan advised.

"You bet!" Pat agreed. "We're through with all that stuff. Y'know, it only gets you into trouble. No more smas.h.i.+ng windows or swiping things for us!"

"Such as ice cream freezers?"

"Sure, we took 'em that night of the party," Pat admitted sheepishly.

"We've been ashamed of it ever since too. The Cubs were swell to us-treated us square even when we were mean to them."

"Cubs always try to do things the right way," Dan replied. "You know the code?"

Pat shook his head.

"'A Cub is Fair; A Cub is Happy; A Cub is Game.'"

"And above all, a Cub values his honor," added Mr. Hatfield, who had overheard the two boys talking. "Thanks to you, Pat, Den 2 again will have a good name in Webster City."

Pat cast his eyes down, still feeling ashamed.

"It must be great to be a Cub and belong to the Pack," he said at length.

"It's a lot better than a gang, isn't it?"

"A great deal better, Pat."

"But Cubs wouldn't be for-for kids like me."

"Why not?" Mr. Hatfield asked quietly. "From the start, I had hoped to interest you boys in the organization. That was why I favored the basketball games."

"You mean we can join the Cubs?"

"You certainly can," Mr. Hatfield a.s.sured him. "Since you live in another part of town it wouldn't be practical to come here often. But you could have your own den. I'll help you find a leader and organize."

"You will?" Pat's freckled face lighted like a Christmas tree. "Gee! Wait until I tell the fellows!"

The Bay Sh.o.r.e boys all shared Pat's desire to join the Cub organization.

Eagerly they asked for detailed information. Pat especially wanted to know if they might play another series of basketball games the following season.

"Of course," Mr. Hatfield promised. "Den 2 will be glad to play your den."

"Our den!" Pat liked the sound of the word. "Say, that's something! We'll have uniforms too, won't we? And pins?"

"Everything that goes with Cubbing."

"There's just one thing more," Pat said. He cast his eyes down, and then went on quickly. "About wrecking that cardboard fort. A couple of the fellows did it and then were sorry. If we could rebuild it or anything-"

"We'll talk about that later," Mr. Hatfield said. "Just now, so that you'll feel you're really being taken into one of the finest organizations in the world, we want to introduce you to the Living Circle."

"What's that?" Pat asked suspiciously.

"We'll show you," Dan offered.

Joining with the Bay Sh.o.r.e boys, the Cubs formed a circle. Each youngster faced inward, extending his left hand, palm downward, into the circle.