THE BOY SCOUT PATHFINDERS TWELVE VOLUMES THE BOY SCOUTS ON THE TRAIL THE BOY SCOUTS AFLOAT THE BOY SCOUTS IN CAMP THE BOY SCOUTS TO THE RESCUE THE BOY SCOUT FIREFIGHTERS THE BOY SCOUT PATHFINDERS THE BOY SCOUT AUTOMOBILISTS THE BOY SCOUT AVIATORS THE BOY SCOUTS’ CHAMPION RECRUIT THE BOY SCOUTS’ DEFIANCE THE BOY SCOUTS’ CHALLENGE THE BOY SCOUTS’ VICTORY [Illustration: They sent the message quickly, accurately.] THE BOY SCOUT PATHFINDERS By GEORGE DURSTON THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY Chicago AKRON, OHIO New York Made in U. S. A. Copyright, 1921 By The Saalfield Publishing Co. CHAPTER I THE IRON BOX Two members of any staff, even though they are only boys, cannot disappear as though the earth had swallowed them without a suspicion of foul play. In the office above the chamber which had witnessed the stirring events narrated in “The Boy Scout Firefighters,” in which both Beany and Porky Potter had been actors, there had been great anxiety. When General Pershing received the report, he at once sent couriers and scouts to every station where the boys might have gone. The sentries one and all declared that the boys had not been seen outside of the building. This resulted in a combing out of every cranny that could possibly hold a boy alive or dead. The hours dragged on. There was a continual passing to and fro for hours until at last there seemed to be absolutely nothing more to do until morning. The tired staff threw themselves into the office chairs, while the General, at the typewriter, commenced a letter. Out of respect to him, there was a complete silence in the room. On and on clicked the typewriter while the waiting men dozed or smoked or thought of home. “What’s that?” said one of them suddenly, listening intently. The General stopped writing and looked at the speaker. “What’s what?” questioned a captain, frowning. “That tapping,” said the first speaker. “Sounds like _code_.” “You have been asleep,” said the captain, grinning. “I hear it,” said the General. There was a general gathering up of forces, as the whole room tried to place the faint, monotonous tapping. “The call for help!” said the first speaker triumphantly. “I _knew_ I heard it. The code is my native language almost. It sounds as though some one was calling from below the floor.” “Send an answer, Lieutenant Reed!” ordered the General.