The Banner Boy Scouts on a Tour

m!

nded the startling detonation of the big

in the act of rushing forth to try and capture those who had been spying

t what it meant, nor were they long in fin

e filled with growing anger. "They want to force the

hardly knew just what, "it's a plot to throw us out in the cold, that

ave something to show that it wasn't our fault the o

, Foxes!" sh

n the hope of cutting off any escaping enemy. Others rushed towards the stairs, by means of whi

ck that had been played, for it promised to put the orderly scouts in ba

s own cottage near by. It was his usual habit to return at about ten o'clock, when the meeting disbanded, i

; together with some derisive laughter and cat calls from dark corners

lic hum from up in the tower. Paul had snatched up a lamp as he ran,

to secure this exit after him, when he left the main body of the church, an hour or two before. Then again, it might be, the plotte

The door into the church is open! Bring the lamp! H

o. Paul could easily imagine that the escaping bell-ringer must have stumbled while making his w

apture. Outside they could hear the boys calling to each other as they ran to and fro. The sharp, clear bark of a fox told that ev

amp above his head. This was done, partly, better to send its rays aroun

obolink, suddenly; "over

ily to come to grief; for he tripped over some hair cushions that may have

e the slightest doubt about it being a boy, he believed, and in the hope of at least getting

low the sad example of Bobolink for such an accid

believed there was considerable danger of his being caught; and could

yard close by, had been cleverly fastened across the aisle about six inches from th

ack over his shoulder; for some of his

rious cries that immediately arose Paul judged that the balance of the detail had swarmed

ch he must have entered some time previously, taking time to lay t

that of Ted Slavin, or possibly his crony, Ward Kenwood. Hence he was trying his best

e to their feet after that jarring tumble; and w

what!" called Bobolink,

ossibly foreseeing some such predicament as this, and not wishing to have his identity known if it could be avoided, what had the daring bel

ce that Paul saw, with a broad gri

rky, as he waved a hand mockingly in thei

, though he could not be absolutely certain. And it was not t

wing how the scouts felt over the escape of the intruder wh

olink, in disgust. "Wouldn't t

Hope you get a grip on the sneak!" cried Nuthin, who was rubbing his r

must have had the breath squeezed out of his lungs when the balance o

. "But say, what's that you've picke

good notion I've seen it before," responded t

he article picked up by Paul just under the window

re as you live!" declar

in his tone; "ain't I had it in my hands more'n once

u remember. It might be another fellow wearing his hat. This might satisfy the trustees that we di

ded Nuthin, who had seated himself, the better to g

to the window; and as he di

d to the fellow with the black face; and he was in too big a

e they got the slippery coon?" asked Phi

windowsill. "He's shaking him as if he believed it was William up to some of his old tricks,

otten clean away?" asked a dis

jected tones; "anyhow, I don't see any fellows holdin' a pr

nd passed outside, Paul leaving the burning

Indignant at what he thought to be an exhibition of base ingratitud

rries, ain't it? Mebbe you t'ink it fun to ring dot pell like dot, unt pring all de neighbors aroundt mit a rush. Hey! vat you poys say? He

m was being shaken like a rat

tim, as he squirmed in the clutches of the indignant sexton, "ask hi

bell began to ring. We all started to try and catch the fellow who pulled the rope; but I'm afraid he got away. He went through the chu

William broke away, as if only too gl

ow who it was, too!" d

up his find. "This hat dropped when he climbed up

med Jud Elderkin, as he bent forward to t

w?" asked Paul,

e it in Stanhope, but they're scarce as hen's teeth. Besides, I've got my private mark on that hat.

reet light close by, and ex

enough. However did you come to put it the

l, and having a pen in my hand, thought I'd give him something to puzzle his head about. So I made that high sign there. Guess he wo

erved Jack; who had led the crowd that rushed outdoors, and felt

collarin' him on his way home?" broke in B

What d'ye think?"

hat. Perhaps we might be lucky enough to find that black mask in his pocket, too. And somehow, I've got a notion he had his hands rubbed with charc

o along; but that would be sure to queer the job. Pi

p shop. Bobolink, you and Bluff come with us; yes, and Nuthin can

ed in Paul Morrison. He agreed to accompany the group of scouts on their strange errand,

ed that one or more of the enemy might be concealed close by, hoping to l

eets until finally they found themselves close t

the back gate when he goes out nights," ventu

lace close to the rear gate, and crouched low, waiting. Slowly the minutes passed. The town clock str

lowest of voices; "I know his whistle all right.

histler drew rapidly closer the five crouch