Dan Carter And The Haunted Castle Part 33

"Billy would be a real a.s.set in our play," added Brad. "If we're to win the prize, we need a few fancy marksmen."

Billy's face had become highly animated. Springing up from the steps, he gazed anxiously at his grandfather.

"Oh, may I join?" he pleaded. "May I, Grandfather? I promise I'll be as quiet as a mouse around here and never make you nervous."

The colonel laughed. "Billy, you're the same as a Cub Scout right now, if the organization will take a rascal like you! Furthermore, your days of tiptoeing around lest you disturb me are at an end. I'm well on the road to recovery. A little healthy boy-noise will do me good for a change!"

Billy now turned to Mr. Hatfield, eagerly demanding to know if he might be taken into the organization.

"Of course we want you," the Cub leader a.s.sured him. "We'll have the initiation as soon as possible. Meanwhile, you may take part in all our activities."

"The Robin Hood play?"

"Certainly."

Dan now spoke up. "I think Billy should be Robin Hood," he said generously. "We all know he's a better shot than anyone in the Pack."

"I'd like to be in the play, but I don't want the lead part," Billy replied.

Mr. Holloway pointed out that many of the scenes had been filmed. To place Billy in the leading role at such a late date would mean retaking a great deal of film.

"We'll find a role for him," he promised. "Give me time to think of something."

The boys told Billy a little about the Cub organization and particularly of their plans for the play.

They were amazed to learn that the boy not only was thoroughly familiar with the Robin Hood story, but had visited the real Nottingham Castle in England.

"You're going to be a big help to us in supplying authentic detail for the play," Mr. Holloway a.s.sured him.

Colonel Brekenridge remarked that it was approaching the luncheon hour.

He would not hear of the Cubs leaving.

Instead, he invited them all to remain for a picnic lunch.

"Pete will look after everything," he said, chuckling at his own joke.

"He likes visitors, you know."

Billy was thrilled to think that the Cubs would remain. He flew about, issuing orders to the servants and telling them exactly what he wanted for lunch. Double tables were set up under the trees and a cloth was spread.

Although unable to join the group, Colonel Brekenridge watched from his wheel chair on the veranda.

"How does the story of Robin Hood end?" Midge asked, as the boys sat eating hamburger sandwiches. "You've never told us, Mr. Holloway."

"Robin Hood had a long and merry life in Sherwood Forest," the Den Dad responded. "If we like, we may end our story on that note. I was thinking though, that an epilogue might be added. In this, Billy could play the part of Robin Hood in his old age, and shoot the last arrow."

"How does the epilogue go?" asked Brad.

"The story is this," Mr. Holloway explained. "Robin Hood had left England, but as springtime returns, he craves again to roam the woodlands of his beloved Sherwood Forest.

"He renews acquaintance with his old friends, Little John, Will Stutely, Allan-a-Dale and Midge, the Miller.

"Finally he falls ill of a fever, and seeks the aid of his cousin, the Prioress of Kirklees. The woman always has disliked Robin Hood and plots to bring his downfall."

"She locks him in a room of the tower and allows him to weaken!" declared Dan, who recalled the story. "A long while elapses before Little John hears his faint cries for help. By the time he traces the call and breaks down the oaken door, Robin Hood is on the verge of death."

"Yes," Mr. Holloway nodded, "and when Robin Hood realized that his hour had come, he bade Little John string his stout bow for him and choose a smooth arrow from his quiver.

"Then from his bed, Robin Hood prepared to shoot through the open window.

He directed Little John to dig his grave where the arrow came to rest."

"I don't like a sad ending to a story," Midge protested.

The other Cubs, however, favored adding the epilogue. They thought it not only would round up the story with a most effective scene, but would give Billy Brekenridge a chance to play a star part.

"I'll fix myself up to look like an old man!" the boy declared happily.

"I can shoot that arrow from a lying down position easy as anything."

Throughout the morning, Mr. Kain had been increasingly impressed not only by the Cubs but by their plans for the Robin Hood play.

"When will it be given?" he asked Mr. Hatfield.

The Cub leader told him that plans had been made to present the play before three judges the following Sat.u.r.day. An invitation also would be extended to parents to witness the show.

"This play deserves a larger audience," Mr. Kain declared enthusiastically. "Why not put out posters and invite the town?"

"We'd like to do that, Mr. Kain. The boys have worked hard. We were afraid though, that the bank might not want so many people tramping over the grounds."

"Let me take care of that," replied the bank employee. "After the way the Cubs saved the property for us, I'm sure we owe them a little something."

The Cubs were delighted by Mr. Kain's change of att.i.tude.

They were even more pleased when he went on, saying: "From watching rehearsals and listening to an outline of the epilogue, I plainly see you're handicapped by having to do all your scenes outdoors."

"Yes, we are, but that can't be helped," Mr. Hatfield agreed.

"Why not do the final scene inside the Castle at the window?"

"Could it be arranged?"

"I'm sure of it. I'll see the bank president this very afternoon and let you know." Mr. Kain arose and picked up his hat. "Well, good-bye boys, and good luck in winning the contest," he said. "It's been most educational knowing you."

After Mr. Kain had gone, the Cubs remained for another two hours at the Brekenridge estate. Billy seemed pathetically eager for companions.h.i.+p.

He showed them about the grounds and displayed his archery equipment. Not in the least boastful, the boy, at request of the Cubs, demonstrated his ability with bow and arrow.

"I've practiced for years," he said. "My father taught me in England.

You'll all be as good or better than I am, after you've practiced awhile."

"We doubt that," laughed Dan. "All the same, it will come in handy having you to do a little behind-the-scenes shooting."