Part 17 (1/2)

Dan related how they had seen Saul Dobbs at the gate.

”Nothing so strange in that,” Mack commented. ”After all, this road runs through Mr. Silverton's property.”

”The only queer part was that he wrote a note to someone and then tore it up,” Dan pointed out. ”It was almost as if he thought it over and decided it was risky business-that someone might find it.”

”He nearly found us,” Chips cut in. ”Better be careful in leaving footprints on this road.”

”How long will you stay here?” Dan asked the two newcomers as he and Chips prepared to leave.

”Mr. Hatfield said we could take over until eight o'clock,” Mack answered. ”Then he and Midge's father will watch for awhile.”

”Lucky guys,” grinned Chips. ”Especially if the mosquitoes are in biting trim!”

For the next two days, the Cubs took turns watching the exit of the old logging road. Though they remained faithful to their a.s.signment, the novelty began to wear off and the task became increasingly tedious.

True, the Cubs developed a certain technique for making time pa.s.s more quickly. Working always in pairs, they brought books, magazines, and an occasional card game with them to the hide-out in the brush.

Even so, a two-hour vigil seemed endless. Mosquitoes were a constant torment, and nothing ever seemed to happen.

After his initial appearance, Saul Dobbs did not return again to the exit of the logging road. Nor did they glimpse the mysterious station wagon which had so intrigued their interest.

”Maybe it was an accident it came down this road the other night,” Brad said late one afternoon as he and Dan were taking their trick together.

”It's a cinch it's not coming back. We've wasted our time.”

”I'm beginning to think so too,” Dan replied in a discouraged voice.

”Gosh, this place is like a steam bath!”

”The worst it's been since we took over,” Brad agreed.

The afternoon had turned unusually hot and sultry. Not a leaf stirred in the trees overhead. Wiping the perspiration from his face, Dan got up to stretch his half-paralyzed legs.

Through the gap in the trees overhead, he could see only a tiny patch of sky which seemed to be darkening.

”Looks like another rain cooking up,” he observed.

”Cripes! Not again!” Brad moaned, peering up at the overcast sky. ”If this keeps on, I'm going to build myself an Ark.”

”Better start the carpenter work then, Brad. It sure looks like rain. And she's coming up fast this time.”

Moving out of their shelter the better to view the sky, the two boys were somewhat alarmed to note that a large black cloud was rolling in fast from the west.

”That means rain and a hard one,” Brad said. ”Think we ought to strike out for home?”

”Well, I hate to leave our post until Mr. Hatfield gives the order,” Dan said after a moment's consideration. ”Anyway, we've waited too long. We never could get home ahead of the rain.”

”You're probably right,” Brad agreed, anxiously studying the fast-moving clouds. ”The storm is due to break almost any minute. Lucky we brought along our slickers.”

b.u.t.toning themselves into their long raincoats, the two boys prepared as best they could for the expected downpour.