The Banner Boy Scouts Mystery
e
d. They continued their search for other possible clues but found none. In the midst of their searchings, however, Paul looking up thought he saw a flitting shadow duck behind a fence across the street. Making believe that he saw nothing, he bent over and continued his inve
outline of a footprint, he told them in a few words, of his discovery. "Don
thing hasn't got you so that y
5
you fellows move off now. Keep an eye on the spot
igations. They kept this up for about five minutes and then Pau
pered. "I also saw the head protrudin
u, Ken? Did yo
said, "but I am not as eagle-eyed a
hing us several tim
only once,"
ght and I wrong," commen
be?" asked Jack. "And what
hould
is that man I fol
e person you followed last night was tall and gaunt. This[55] individual appeared
nd see if we are being
might catch on that we know we are b
ha
e saying goodbye. Jack and I will turn left and pretend that we are going home. But instead of ac
here is?"
ow him, naturally,"
there
bout route and meet us in my
ht. I'll
ow display. Actually, however, his eyes were roaming elsewhere[56] and he was carefully watching the corner. Some people came out of Water Street, but by the look on their faces, by their general appearance and by the fact that they seemed to know exactly whic
, the man increasing his pace and Ken doing likewise. The two boys were just ahead, crossing Chestnut Street. As the man came to the corner, he turned. Ken stopped at a corner
m. As Ken came up the walk to
picions. Joining his companions, he muttered, "This man hunt is getti
the matter?"
5
Ken put the question very gravely
ho
tain
e face of the other for some meaning or understanding. But all of them were just
ou sure it was he?" questioned Jac
ter all, I know the man. It's
e!" he exclaimed. "Then how do you k
ith, I know the man and I can recognize him without seeing his face. And secondly, I watched him walk dow
into his own house-that is, Cap
[58] home; I watched from the corner. But just th
tain should follow them. "Well, I'll be!" exclaimed Jack. "T
. "And keep quiet for a couple of minut
what?" a
when we were over to se
abou
e told us that comes back to me now very distinctly. You remember how just as we were leaving, he said to u
d. "Yes, I
call our attention to it. But what a
sincerity. But, Captain Bob is much shrewder
mean?" inq
ll, remember[59] that he didn't seem to have a very definite opinion though h
int?" demanded Ken, h
told him we suspected a pyromaniac, he immediately came to the conclusion that we knew more than
cal to me,"
he know we were going out to Water Street this morning? And he would have to watch the house of
w do we know he has not been following us since that night we spoke to him
echoed Jack. "E
eet this morning also to search for some clues to the fire. But when[60] he saw
uietly, trying to untangle the whole situation, but unable to find a starting
He may and
, Jack rose and suggested, "W
cried Ken. "I didn't re
see you boys la
s the street to call for Ken. As the two boys walked do
ob!" he exclaimed in a
was hovering about the house. And as we came out and walked a
u think we
he whispered some inst
"And then wh
the res
poke up rather loudly, "I guess I'll[61] walk down the bl
n just as loudly. "Jack
traight ahead. Turning in at the end of the
he spy. Suddenly he caught his breath. He detected a slight movement behind a fence at the other side of the street, several houses below. He c
Paul instantly got into his way. The man stopp
ello, Cap
ur face seems to be familiar, but I
Morr
the boy who dashed into
piration gathered on his brow. He was debating with himself what his approach should be. Would it be best merely to imply that Captain Bob's spying was a known fact to them or should he put it frankl
at you said? Following you? What for? Why
t you spied on us this morning on Water Street and then followed us
man had turned red and became confused. "My dear boy," he m
n Bob. If I wasn't positive, I
laughed. "Well, my boy," he said, "you are
mind, I wish you would tell
friends came and talked to me about the fire the other day, I became a little suspicious. I tried to,-er,-get as much informa
ons and deductions had been correct. He would certainly make a good detective. The captain was waiting for him to say something and he commented, "But we really don't know any more
one, my boy. I know that you have som
away, he thought. Out loud, he said, "But really, Captai
r,-forget about my follow
lied the boy. "And it i
ight, m
6
ght, Cap
And just as he started to cross the street, two
r to his lips. "
ry. Just as soon as the narrative was completed, Ken cried, "The sly old f
agreed Paul. "He is a very shrewd man an
spects us of setting fire to that
e must give him more credit than that. My impression is that he suspects us of knowin
r suspicions are correct," arg
se, under thos
ur next move should
the movies,"
" exclai
6
. "Captain Bob won't fol
for us to go to the
lse for us to do tonight. That man was abroad last night, and it is r
edly," said Ken. "Let's go to