d disturb the scout
leader.

"You'll see that they are bound to meet up with a snag when they apply
for admission to the real organization. They can't subscribe to many of
the rules. Then again you know that the real scout scorns to receive his
uniform as a gift. Everything he owns must be earned. But most of us are
nearly ready to send for suits. Wait a little longer. The race is not
always to the swift."

In this fashion then did wise Paul bring peace to the troubled hearts of
those anxious ones. Never a member of the new Fox Patrols that sought an
interview with the scout leader but who came away feeling that there was
not a cloud in the sky of their future.

In this manner a week, and then ten days, drifted along, with the opening
of school looming up in the near future.

Paul had almost forgotten the troubles of his chum when one day he had
the fact suddenly brought to his attention again, as Jack came upon him
with a face upon which rested the same old cloud of anxiety and grief.

CHAPTER IX

"WELL DONE, MY BOY!"

"There, some more gone, Paul!"

"But it's nearly ten days since we talked it over last, and then there
were, let me see, I believe six coins left," returned the other, quickly.

"That's true enough. And I can see now that you're wondering why none
have been taken all this time, up to to-day," remarked Jack, as he came
alongside his chum, who was looking in at a window where sporting goods
made a brave display.

"Will Carlo hang around and wait for you a bit?" asked Paul, looking with
a smile toward the big Newfoundland dog that had been trotting at the
heels of his young master, carrying a basket, in which were several
packages from the store.

"Sure. He's well trained, and that is one of the smallest of his stunts,
as you know. See, he has laid the basket down, and stands guard over it.
I dare any dog in Stanhope to try and take it away. Now, you want to know
about my poor old batch of coins!"

"I'm waiting to hear, old fellow," said Paul, tenderly; for he could see
that his chum was once again highly charged with emotion.

"I thought I'd try a scheme unbeknown to you," began the other, slowly.

"Perhaps I can guess what you did--was it that you locked the door of
your little den, Jack?"

"Well, now, you are a champion guesser, for that was just what I did,
every day up to this one--shut down the window, locked the door, and
never went up there once," replied his comrade, with