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