Dan Carter And The Haunted Castle Part 23

"Then you won't let us finish our film at the Castle?" Brad demanded.

"I can't allow you to go there. As I say, I'm sorry-"

The Cubs waited to hear no more of his apology. Completely discouraged, they started down the balcony steps.

"It's unfair!" Red stormed. "This bank gives me a pain!"

Unnoticed by the Cubs, a heavily set man in gray, which matched the color of his hair, had met them squarely on the stairway.

"What's this about not liking the bank?" he inquired.

Embarra.s.sed, Red stammered out that Mr. Kain wasn't being fair to the Cubs. And he added bitterly: "That's all the thanks we get for saving their old house!"

The remark troubled the man, for he said: "We must look into this. Come with me, and we'll talk to Mr. Kain."

By this time the Cubs began to suspect that they had encountered another official of the bank. They were sure of it, when as they approached Mr.

Kain's desk again, the man quickly got to his feet.

"Good morning, Mr. Hammond," he said respectfully.

Mr. Hammond, the boys learned a moment later, was vice president of the bank. A man of precise mind, he first asked Mr. Kain for his version of the disagreement. Then he listened to what Red and the other Cubs had to say.

"I didn't annoy you about this matter, Mr. Hammond, because you were busy," Mr. Kain said uneasily. "I thought for the protection of the bank-"

"Mr. Kain, you lose sight of several facts," replied the bank official.

"First, the Cubs give their word they had nothing to do with the fire.

Second, had it not been for them, the Castle undoubtedly would have been destroyed. And third, it's important that they finish the movie they're making."

"I only did what I thought was best for the interests of the bank," Mr.

Kain said, his eyes smoldering with resentment.

"I have a nephew who is a Cub Scout in another city," Mr. Hammond continued. "He's a dependable youngster and so are the other Cubs in his outfit. I'll take a chance on such lads any day."

"Very well," said Mr. Kain stiffly. "The decision is yours to make-not mine. However, I must say that it's tempting fate to turn loose a pack of boys on the premises."

"We'll not turn them loose exactly," smiled the bank official. "I a.s.sume they will be under the direction of their leaders."

"That's right, sir," Brad a.s.sured him.

"Also, I'll a.s.sign you, Mr. Kain, to accompany the boys and watch over the property during the filming of the various scenes," Mr. Hammond added. "I'm sure you'll guard the bank interests most diligently."

With that, he nodded to Mr. Hatfield, and moved on to his own private office.

It was plain to the Cubs that Mr. Kain resented their interference. This, he indicated, by the cold formal manner in which he addressed them.

"You heard what Mr. Hammond said?" he demanded. "He very generously has allowed you the use of the premises under my supervision. May I ask when you will film the next scenes of your play?"

"Probably Sat.u.r.day if the weather is pleasant," Mr. Hatfield informed him. "By that time we should have costumes and scenery ready. I a.s.sure you we'll wind up the filming as quickly as possible."

"Very well. Sat.u.r.day then, I'll be on hand to see that everything is kept in order. Oh, yes, there's one more matter-the twenty dollars."

"Well, for crying out loud!" Red muttered, but at a stern look from Mr.

Hatfield, he subsided.

Now all the Cubs were certain that Mr. Hammond had not intended them to pay the sum. However, they were too proud to argue.

Without saying a word, Brad opened his wallet and gave the money to Mr.

Kain.

"There go our costumes," remarked Red pointedly.

"Eh?" inquired Mr. Kain, busily writing out a receipt.

No one repeated the remark.

Brad accepted the receipt, and the Cubs left the bank.

Red and Midge were in favor of protesting to Mr. Hammond. However, the Cub leader would not allow them to do that.

"All the same, Old Kill-Joy-Kain is taking advantage of us," Red opined as the boys disconsolately walked down the street. "He's sore now, and he'll see to it that we have no privileges at the Castle."

CHAPTER 14 Clues

Dan and Brad shared the opinion of the other Cubs that their "fun" times were nearly at an end at the Castle.

Parting company with the other boys, they discussed the matter as they walked toward their homes.

"I'll bet a cent Mr. Kain won't allow us to go poking around in the woods," Brad remarked. "I especially wanted to see if we could find any clues as to how the fire started."

"Why don't we go out there now by ourselves?"

"I'd like to," Brad replied. "I sure would. But it wouldn't be cricket.

Mr. Kain takes it for granted we'll only go there when he's around to watch-dog us."

"I guess you're right," Dan admitted ruefully. "What we could do though, is to get there early on Sat.u.r.day. If we're lucky, we might get an hour's jump on Mr. Kain."

During the next few days, the Cubs made what arrangements they could for costumes. The mothers of the two Dens came through splendidly, fas.h.i.+oning garments of whatever materials they had on hand.

On the whole, the Cubs felt that the play would not be quite the flop they had feared. Nevertheless, resentment flared again when Ross displayed the elegant costume he had purchased at a theatrical supply store.

Among some of the boys it was whispered that Ross still expected to be awarded the star role in the play.

And though Dan and Brad tried to quiet such rumblings, the Cubs continued to hint that he might have had something to do with starting the disastrous fire.