"I know even better arguments than that," Pee-wee boasted.

"Well," said Detective Spotson rather more gruffly, "you'd better look
out how you try to interfere with the law, young feller, 'cause first
thing you know you'll find yourself in jail. And you'd better keep away
from this outfit down here, too. Now you chase yourself back to where
you belong--see?"

"You thought you were going to scare me, didn't you?" Pee-wee said.




CHAPTER VI

THE MISSIONARY

Pee-wee retraced his steps back across the field feeling righteous and
triumphant. To him the interests of the Boy Scouts of America
superseded every other interest and like the true missionary he did not
scruple overmuch as to means employed.

As he emerged Into the alley, Keekie Joe, looking frightened and
apprehensive, appeared out of the surrounding squalor. It was a
characteristic of Keekie Joe that he always appeared without warning.
A long habit of sneaking had given him this uncanny quality. Suddenly
Pee-wee, in the full blush of his heroic triumph, was aware of the poor
wretch shuffling along beside him.

"Wot'd they say ter yer? Wot'd yer tell 'em?" he asked fearfully.