The Cubs dropped their knapsacks and trooped down to the beach. Chips’ footprints plainly were visible in the sand, showing where he had wandered in his fruitless search.
“Are you certain you left it here, Red?” Dan inquired dubiously.
“Certainly I’m certain! Right here by the river. I wanted it to dry so I left it turned up to the sun.”
“Well, it couldn’t have paddled itself away!” Chips wisecracked.
“Very funny!” Red glared at him. “I spent a long while painting that paddle. Now it’s gone. Either one of you took it for a joke or—”
“On your honor, fellows, has anyone seen Red’s paddle?” Brad soberly questioned the group.
All the Cubs reasserted that they had not touched the missing item.
“When last I saw it, Red was laying it out in the sun just as he said,” added Midge. “Maybe it floated away.”
“Like fun!” Chips snorted. “This river doesn’t have a tide. I know what became of that paddle!”
For a moment after Chips had made his accusation, no one spoke.
Then Mack said thoughtfully: “He was around here making remarks. He looked at the paddle several times.”
“He came here to snoop!” Chips accused angrily. “He was afraid Red’s paddle would win a prize in the handicraft contest, so either he took it for meanness or he pitched it into the river.”
“Ross didn’t have anything in his hands when he left here,” Dan said quietly.
“Then he shoved it into the river and it floated away! That’s probably what it did!”
“Chips, don’t go completely off your base,” Brad interposed. “You’re making some pretty rash accusations.”
“Ross likes to win,” added Dan. “He’s boastful too. But I’d hate to think he’s dishonest.”
“One Cub never should make that accusation against another unless he’s prepared to back it up with proof,” resumed Brad severely. “You’re only making wild guesses, Chips.”
“Well, if Ross didn’t take the paddle, who did? Answer me that!”
“I don’t know what became of the paddle, Chips. Red was rather careless though, to leave it lying so close to the river’s edge.”
“Now don’t get huffy. No one is blaming you. On the other hand, we’ve no right to put it on Ross.”
“Just wait until I see that lad,” Chips muttered. “I’ll drag it out of him!”
Brad took Chips by the arm, giving him a little, impatient shake.