“It ain’t loaded,” the boy muttered. “You got nothing to worry about.”
Mr. Hatfield checked the rifle for himself, finding that Jack had spoken the truth. Evidently he had used his last shot on the rabbit.
“What d’you aim to do? Turn me over to the cops again?”
“That depends on what you tell us, Jack. From the start, we’ve tried to give you the benefit of every doubt. Your remarks about the tin box, however, were disturbing.”
“No one has accused you, Jack. It’s clear though, that you know plenty about the matter.”
“I think you know more than the facts you have read, Jack. Why don’t you come clean?”
“We’re law abiding citizens, Jack,” Mr. Hatfield argued. “What else could we do?”
“We are your friends,” the Cub leader insisted. “At least we want to be. Sit down, Jack, and let’s talk this over.”
Mr. Hatfield brushed off a hollow log which had fallen near the fence, and made room for Jack. The other boys gathered around close enough so the Institute lad could not hope to make a break for freedom.
“Jack, can’t you realize that we’re trying to help, not make things hard for you,” Mr. Hatfield attempted to reason with him. “You must return to Mrs. Jones’ home.”
“I was going there anyhow,” the boy muttered, his gaze on the ground.
“'Course not,” Jack said irritably. “I wouldn’t go away and take her rifle. I’m not a thief. She’s been good to me in her way—better than anyone else.”
“I’m glad to hear that!” Mr. Hatfield exclaimed. “I knew you had good stuff if you’d just give it a chance to come out. Now about the money box—”
“I was just blowing,” Jack said, avoiding Mr. Hatfield’s direct gaze. “All I know is what I read in the newspaper.”
The Cubs were disgusted. But Jack, they knew, did not abide by their standards of honor and fair play.
“Let me go now,” Jack muttered, getting up from the log. “You got no right to keep me.”
“Do we have your word that you’ll return to Mrs. Jones’ house?” the Cub leader asked.
“I’ll accept your word, Jack. And here’s the rifle. When you return it to Mrs. Jones, why not ask her if you may borrow it now and then? She’d likely give her consent and you wouldn’t feel low and sneaking about it. Furthermore, in season you probably could help out by bringing in game for the table.”