Part 19 (1/2)
”I don't believe boys are mixed up in it, Ross.”
”Grownups?”
”That would be my guess.”
Ross was inclined to make light of Dan's theory. ”Oh, you're building up too much out of nothing,” he insisted. ”You'll find that missing paper in the morning. Mark my words.”
”Let's hope you're right,” Dan said as the two boys started for home.
Actually, he had no hope whatsoever. A conviction had grown upon him that the paper left by Jacques never would be seen again.
And with its disappearance had vanished his last chance to solve the mysterious coded message.
CHAPTER 9 A Missing Code
Dan was at the Cave before seven o'clock the next morning. Early as was the hour, Mr. Hatfield had arrived ahead of him and already had moved out most of the camping equipment which was to be taken to Skeleton Island.
”Why, h.e.l.lo, Dan,” the Cub leader greeted him in pleased surprise. ”I hardly expected to see you before eight o'clock.”
”I scarcely expected to see myself,” Dan grinned. ”Fact is, I came to look for a paper I lost last night. Mr. Hatfield, I nearly broke the code only to have the message disappear!”
Quickly the boy related everything that had occurred.
”Ross and I agreed not to tell any of the Cubs,” he added. ”I figured it would only worry them.”
”You're right in keeping quiet about it,” Mr. Hatfield said at once. ”I hadn't intended to mention it, but for several days I've had a feeling this place is being spied upon. Frankly, I don't like it.”
”Any idea who may be doing it, Mr. Hatfield?”
”None whatsoever.”
”Do you think it has anything to do with that message we found, or Jacques?”
”I've wondered, Dan. My mind is not at rest with regard to that boy.
Obviously he was a Cub, yet I've been unable to find any Den or Pack in which he ever was registered. Of course, he could have given us a fict.i.tious first name.”
”It was miserable luck losing the coded message last night,” Dan complained. ”I'd just figured out the first word-'Coming'-when whiff went the light.”
”The paper may be here. Let's make a thorough search.”
Mr. Hatfield swept the cave floor while Dan searched every possible cranny. The missing paper was not found.
”Well, at least nothing else appears to be missing,” the Cub leader said after he had checked all the camping equipment. ”It seems that whoever came here last night must have been after that coded message. Dan, if I'd known this earlier-”
”You'd have called off the camping trip,” Dan completed, guessing at his thought.
”Yes, Jacques must have had a connection with Skeleton Island or the name wouldn't have appeared on the paper. I have an uneasy feeling about going there.”