The Banner Boy Scouts Mystery

cious I

d just passed. Jack turned on his heel and stared at the retreating back of the individual. The man was tall and thin—gaunt; he wore a cap and a jacket and pants that hung like sacks upon him. Jack tried to think what it

e seemed to be very much on the alert, turning his head this way and that way, as though searching for something. Jack felt sorry that he could not get a good look at the man’s face. Perhaps he could do it now, he thought, by walking ahead then walking back toward

ide of the street. His heart pounded and he became nervous and excited. He followed, keeping his eyes glued to the back of the suspicious chara

arm, would make the man think him a different person. The man continued walking rapidly with Jack hot on his trail. The street was very poorly lit and Jack was forced to shorten the distance between the man and himself, though he still kept to the wrong side of the street. Coming to a lonely house set

ately he threw himself behind it. Looking from the side of his shelter, he watched the house across the street. Possibly five minutes passed and nothing happened. To him it seemed like hours. At last the man he had been following showed himself a

to follow, Jack then rose and sprinted forward until he was within about five yards of his man, who no longer shifted his head

e was a fugitive of some sort, trying to get away. The man turned into Water Street and Jack felt a cold chill break out. Instantly it flashed upon him that the suspicious fire of the previous

acks and very slowly turned around. In the nick of time, Jack dashed into a shadow and was out of sight. The man hesitated and then very slowly approached the heap of ashes and sticks of wood that were once a house. Jack hi

eaved[48] and soon Jack heard sobs of genuine sorrow. Jack could not help feeling sorry for the poor chap. He wondered what was wro

et the dust slide through his fingers. Five or six times he repeated this action. Finally he took out of his pocket a handkerchief, spread it out on the ground, and piled several han

re out. Should he notify the police? Should he run off and talk it over with Paul or Ken? Or should he do nothing and just fo

own himself. His deliberations were cut short by the man stepping forth again and continuing on his way. Pursuer and pursued turned left on Main Street. The man increased his pace, stretching out his long legs. However, Jack had no difficulty in following. Clear across the town the two went, back to John Street into which the man turned. Jack hesitated f

g of regret for having lost track of his man. However, it could not be helped and it would be useless to worry over it. Now that he had a pretty good picture of th

h mused over his thoughts. Paul noticed someone approach the gate. The next moment he

u had us in stitches. What is the idea of dis

ellows worried,” he said. “But wait

anded Paul

down first;

ormation. They sat so closely together, listened so attentively to the narrative, that an outsider seeing them would have taken them for conspirators. In a sense they were that: they

’t contrive the whole thing just to put on a show for Jack’s sake? How[51] do you know what the man was up to? He might have realized that he was being followed and to misl

of them knitted their brows. Paul said, “What you say is true, Ken. Of course, we mu

e same way about it,” h

ait and see. You say that you would

interrupting. “I could pic

gest that the first thing tomorrow morning we go over to Water Street and examine

can’t go there to

omeone noticed us there tonight, we would be[52] unde

arked Ken as he rose. “I am

oodnigh

you fellows to

”