Part 12 (1/2)

As Pee-wee turned fro at a very antiquated bulletin board such as one seldom sees elsewhere than in a country post office

These ancient bulletin boards bespeak the country as eloquently as do the hayfields They see since restored to their owners are still advertised on faded brittle paper, fastened by rusted thue Strawberry festivals, with strawberries that have gone the way of all strawberries, are here announced Auction sales and Red Cross drives long ended here proclai patiently for people whose names are on tombstones are here listed

Pee-wee pressed his way between Warde and Roy and gazed at a notice by no ht the eyes of his two friends:

WANTED FOR MURDER FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS

REWARD WILL BE PAID BY THE POLICE OF QUEBEC, CANADA, FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF CLAUDE DARRELL, ALIAS DARROW, ALIAS HICKEY JOE, ETC, ETC WANTED FOR BURGLARY AND HOMICIDE

Was last seen in New York, where he tried to enlist for ht Coht 5 feet 10-1/2 inches Weight about 140 pounds Teeth white and even May seek work as gasfitter When last seen wore a gray suit with double-breasted vest Walks slightly sideways

But it was not the reading matter on this notice which riveted the attention of the scouts and for a few moments held them speechless Two pictures, one a front face, the other a profile, were there shown

”What--” Pee-wee began, anxiously, hesitatingly, as if he dared not say as in his mind

”Yep,” said Warde, with a kind of cold resolve, as if one of theht; ”it's him--it's Blythe”

Still neither Roy nor Pee-wee spoke, only stood there, gazing steadfastly at the pictures The eyes in the full face picture were looking straight at theestion of a s in that siular scout” Warde averted his gaze He felt alain, steadily, intensely He see to ask the post that's been there”

Then suddenly Roy felt the authority of his new scout, subordinate though that scout was He felt Warde's hand detaining hi,” he heard Warde say; ”stay where you are” Pee-wee felt this calm authority, too Or rather this influence of one who is well poised and thoughtful

And still, with spirits drooping, with the whole foundation of their happiness rudely knocked fro at these pictures of their friend This murderer Here was another murder to add to that former one in Canada Theof a friendshi+p

They heard the ate

They heard the gate swing shut They felt a presence near them

”Well, what do you find to interest you, boys?” they heard a drawling voice ask

”We were--ere just wishi+ng that we had been at the strawberry festival--the one a year ago last June,” replied Warde Hollister

CHAPTER XVIII

THE TEST

The three scouts took their way along the road in silence Pee-as subdued and even Roy sobered Warde alone seemed composed Perhaps none of the Blythe And this appalling revelation was the sequel, the end, of thatadventure They were not fired by the dramatic character of their discovery; they were just cast down _This_ hat it had all coain some of his foret the letter,” said he; ”so that's one good thing And later we're going to Temple Caee whiz, we ought to be all good and glad, that's sure” But for all that, Pee-wee did not seelad when he gets to be a first class scout, that's one sure thing Even if I were in the Silver Foxes I'd be glad And anyway it's good you had your fourteen mile hike to-day because now you can let Mr Ellsworth and the local council know and he can go over the ground Sunday That's the way he usually does You can write up your account to-e you want I bet you'll get a lot of thelad when you tell him you're in the first class, hey?

I bet Roy will be proud, too,” he added

Roysilently

”There won't be any badge, Kid,” said Warde kindly ”There isn't going to be any account written of this And Mr Ellsworth isn't going to go over the ground He isn't going to see that picture”