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 C++
Advanced Guide to Learn C++
Programming Effectively
© Copyright 2020 - All rights reserved.
The contents of this book may not be reproduced, duplicated or transmitted
without direct written permission from the author.

Under no circumstances will any legal responsibility or blame be held against the
publisher for any reparation, damages, or monetary loss due to the information
herein, either directly or indirectly.

Legal Notice:

This book is copyright protected. This is only for personal use. You cannot amend,
distribute, sell, use, quote or paraphrase any part or the content within this book
without the consent of the author.

Disclaimer Notice:

Please note the information contained within this document is for educational and
entertainment purposes only. Every attempt has been made to provide accurate,
up to date and reliable complete information. No warranties of any kind are
expressed or implied. Readers acknowledge that the author is not engaging in the
rendering of legal, financial, medical or professional advice. The content of this
book has been derived from various sources. Please consult a licensed
professional before attempting any techniques outlined in this book.

By reading this document, the reader agrees that under no circumstances is the
author responsible for any losses, direct or indirect, which are incurred as a result
of the use of information contained within this document, including, but not limited
to, —errors, omissions, or inaccuracies.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter One: Using Pointers in C++
Introduction to Pointers
How to Use Pointers in C++
Types of Pointers
Chapter Two: References in C++
Difference Between References and Pointers
How to Create References
Chapter Three: Introduction to Data Structures in C++
The Struct Statement
How to Access Members
Using Structures as Arguments
Using Pointers
Typedef Keyword
Chapter Four: Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming in
C++
Definition of Classes
Defining Class Objects
How to Access the Class Members
Classes and Objects
Chapter Five: Differences Between Classes and Structures
Chapter Six: Encapsulation in C++
Example
Chapter Seven: Understanding Inheritance
Introduction to Base and Derived Classes
 Inheritance and Access
Inheritance Types
Multiple Inheritance
Chapter Eight: Overloading in C++
Introduction to Function Overloading
Introduction to Operator Overloading
Chapter Nine: Polymorphism in C++
Understanding Virtual Functions
Chapter Ten: Abstraction in C++
Benefits
How to Enforce Abstraction
Example
Why Use Abstraction?
Chapter Eleven: Abstract Classes or Interfaces
Example
Chapter Twelve: Constructors in C++
Constructor Types
Chapter Thirteen: Copy Constructors in C++
Definition
When Do You Call a Copy Constructor?
When Should You Define a Copy Constructor?
Assignment Operators Versus Copy Constructors
Example Where You Use Copy Constructors
What Happens When You Remove a Copy Constructor From the
Code?
Chapter Fourteen: Destructors in C++
Properties
 When Do You Call a Destructor?
Difference Between Destructors and Member Functions
Chapter Fifteen: Virtual Destructors in C++
Pure Virtual Destructors
Chapter Sixteen: Introduction to Private Destructors
Chapter Seventeen: Exception Handling in C++
Importance of Exception Handling
Exception Handling Examples
Chapter Eighteen: Stack Unwinding
Chapter Nineteen: Identifying Exceptions in Base and Derived
Classes
Differentiating Between Block and Type Conversions
Chapter Twenty: Object Destruction and Error Handling
Linear Search
Binary Search
Jump Search
Chapter Twenty-Two: Sorting Algorithms
Bubble Sort
Selection Sort
Insertion Sort
Quicksort
Chapter Twenty-Three: Tips to Optimize Code in C++
Using the Appropriate Algorithm to Optimize Code
Optimizing Code
Using Input and Output Operators
Optimizing the Use of Operators
Optimization of Conditional Statements
 Dealing with Functions
Optimizing Loops
Optimizing Data Structures
Sequential or Binary Search?
Optimizing the Use of Arrays
Chapter Twenty-Four: Debugging and Testing
Definition
Conditions for Debugging
Debugging Requirements
Debugging Principles
Functionalities to Use
Techniques for Debugging
How to Correct the Errors In Your Code
Conclusion
References
Introduction
I want to thank you for choosing this book, ‘C++ - Advanced Guide to
Learn C++ Programming Effectively,’ and I hope you find the book
informative.
If you have read the previous book, you have gathered a basic idea
of some concepts in C++ and how you can use loops and conditional
statements to address different problems. This, however, does not
mean you have mastered the art of programming in C++. You need
to have more information to help you write robust programs and
applications. This book will shed some light on some advanced
topics in C++, which will enhance your understanding of C++.
The book will shed some light on the references and pointers in C++
and their importance. It also provides information on data structures
and how you can use them in C++. Since object-oriented
programming (OOP) is an important concept in most programming
languages, this book sheds some light on what it is and the various
concepts in OOP.
In this book, you will learn more about how you can optimize the
performance of your code. When you write any code, you need to
test it to determine if it runs correctly. You need to find the errors in
your code and find a way to overcome those errors. So, what are
you waiting for? Grab a copy of this book now and get started. By
the end of the book, you will learn how to write code and improve it,
so there are no errors and issues when you compile the code.
Chapter One: Using Pointers in C++
Pointers make it easier to perform specific types of tasks in C++. They are easy to
use, and it is best to use them to perform activities or tasks, such as dynamic memory
allocation. We have looked at the basics of memory allocation in the previous book.
This chapter will shed some light on how best you can use pointers in C++.
Every variable you enter into a program or code will be stored in a memory location.
Each location has its own address, and these addresses can be accessed in the code
using the ‘&’ operator. This operator denotes that section in the memory where the
variable is stored. Let us look at the following example to see how you can print the
location or every variable defined in the code.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main () {
int var1;
char var2[10];
cout << "Address of var1 variable: ";
cout << &var1 << endl;
cout << "Address of var2 variable: ";
cout << &var2 << endl;
return 0;
}
When you compile the code written above, you obtain the following output:
Address of var1 variable: 0xbfebd5c0
Address of var2 variable: 0xbfebd5b6
The terms 0xbfebd5c0 and 0xbfebd5b6 are the locations in the memory where these
variables are stored.

Introduction to Pointers
Before we look at how you can use pointers, let us first understand what a pointer is.
Pointers are variables that take the address of a different variable in the code. The
syntax of a pointer is as follows:
type *var-name;
The keyword type in the above syntax is the data or base type of the pointer. Make
sure the type is a valid data type in C++. The value var-name is the pointer’s name.
You need to use the asterisk in the syntax when you define the pointer. C++ throws an
error if you forget to use it. The following are some methods to define pointers.
//The following statements are used to define or declare integer, double, float, and
character pointers.
int *ip;
double *dp;
float *fp;
char *ch;
Pointers will only take hexadecimal values since they only take the values of the
variables you point them to. You can define a pointer as an integer, double, character,
string, etc., but it only represents an address in the memory. The only difference is
that when you assign a data type to a pointer when you define it, you indicate to the
compiler that you are pointing to a variable with the same data type.

How to Use Pointers in C++

You can perform different operations in C++ using pointers:
1. Defining a pointer variable
2. Assigning the pointer with a variable whose address it stores
3. Accessing the value present in the memory location stored in the pointer

You can perform these operations using the operator ‘*’ which indicates to the
compiler that it needs to return the value of the variable stored at the memory location
or address indicated by the pointer. The following example uses these operations:
#include <iostream>

using namespace std;

int main () {
int var = 20; // actual variable declaration.
int *ip; // pointer variable

ip = &var; // store address of var in pointer variable

cout << "Value of var variable: ";

 cout << var << endl;

// print the address stored in ip pointer variable

cout << "Address stored in ip variable: ";
cout << ip << endl;

// access the value at the address available in pointer

cout << "Value of *ip variable: ";
cout << *ip << endl;

return 0;
}
When you run the code and compile it, you obtain the following output:
Value of var variable: 20
Address stored in ip variable: 0xbfc601ac
Value of *ip variable: 20

Types of Pointers
It is easy to understand how you can use pointers in C++. Having said that, if you
make mistakes when you use them in your code, you will receive multiple errors. The
following are some concepts to bear in mind when it comes to pointers:
S. Concept Description
No.
1 Null Pointers You can use null pointers in C++. This pointer is a
constant variable that has a value of zero defined in
numerous libraries used in C++.
2 Pointer You can use the following operators on pointers:
Arithmetic
1. ++
2. +
3. –
4. --
3 Pointer vs. There is a very close relationship between arrays and
arrays pointers.
4 Arrays of If you do not want to introduce numerous variables for
 pointers pointers, you can create an array to store the same data
type pointers.
5 Pointer to pointer C++ allows you to use one pointer to indicate to another
pointer.
6 Passing a You can pass pointers as arguments in functions using
pointer as an either a reference or address. These allow the compiler
argument in a to pass the pointer as the argument in the function.
function
7 Returning You can use a function to indicate a local variable to
pointers from store the value of the pointer. You can use:
functions
1. A static variable
2. A local variable
3. Dynamically allocated memory
Chapter Two: References in C++
Unlike pointers, references are used as aliases in C++. a reference is used to refer to
a variable present in the existing code. When you initialize a reference and assign it to
a variable in the code, you can use the variable itself or the reference variable to call
the value stored in the variable if you need to use it in a different function.

Difference Between References and Pointers

People often confuse themselves when it comes to references and pointers. There are
three differences between the two:
1. As mentioned in the previous chapter, you can have a null pointer, but you
cannot have a null reference in your code. Make sure the reference is
always tagged to a variable or function which has a return value.
2. When you initialize and assign a reference to a specific object, you cannot
change its value to another object in the code at any point. You can use
pointers to look at different objects at varied points in the code.
3. Every reference needs to be initialized before it is tagged to any variable.
Unlike pointers, you cannot initialize a reference in any line of the code.

How to Create References

From the first book, you know that every variable has a name. Let us assume that this
name is the label attached to the location of the variable’s value in the memory. When
you tag a reference to the variable, it becomes the second label attached to the
location. Therefore, you can refer to the value in the memory location using either the
reference or the original variable name. Let us consider the following example:
// Initialize a variable ‘i’ and assign it a value
int i = 4;
float j = 2.8;
// Declare a reference variable in your code for the above variable
int &r1 = i;
float &r2 = j;
The ampersand (&) in the above line is your reference. Read the above two lines of
code as follows:
1. The integer reference, r1, has been initialized and tagged to the variable i
2. The integer reference, r2, has been initialized and tagged to the variable j

In the following example, we look at how you can use references on variables with the
data types double and int.
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;
int main () {
// The following statements are used to declare the simple variables in the code
int i;
double d;
// The following statements are used to declare and assign the reference variables
to the simple variables
int& r = i;
double& s = d;
i = 5;
cout << "Value of i : " << i << endl;
cout << "Value of i reference : " << r << endl;
d = 11.7;
cout << "Value of d : " << d << endl;
cout << "Value of d reference : " << s << endl ;
return 0;
}
When you compile the above code, you will obtain the following output:
Value of i : 5
Value of i reference : 5
Value of d : 11.7
Value of d reference : 11.7
Coders often use references as function return values or argument lists. The following
are two points to bear in mind when you write code in C++:
S. Concept Description
No.
1 Using references as function You can pass references as parameters in
parameters functions. It is safer to use them as
parameters instead of using simple variables
2 Using references as function References can be used like other
values parameters or data types as return values
Chapter Three: Introduction to Data Structures in
C++
C++ allows you to use different variables and structures, such as
arrays and lists. We have looked at these in brief in the first book.
This chapter introduces the different ways you can use these data
structures to perform different activities in C++. You can use arrays
to define different variables or combine different elements across the
program or code into one variable, as long as they fall into the same
category. A structure, however, allows you to combine different
variables and data types. You can use a structure to define or
represent records. Let us assume you want to track the books on
your bookshelf. You can use a structure to track various attributes of
every book on your shelf, such as:
1. Book ID
2. Book title
3. Genre
4. Author

The Struct Statement

You need to use the struct statement to define a structure in your
code. This statement allows you to develop or define a new data
type for your code. You can also define the number of elements or
members in the code. The syntax of this statement is as follows:
struct [structure tag] {
member definition;
member definition;
...
member definition;
} [one or more structure variables];
It is not mandatory to use the structure tag when you use the
statement. When you define a member in the structure, you can use
the variable definition method we discussed in the previous book.
For instance, you can use the method int i to define an integer
variable. The section before the semicolon in the struct syntax is also
optional, but this is where you define the structure variables you
want to use. Continuing with the example above, let us look at how
you can define a book structure.
struct Books {
int book_id;
char book_title[50];
char genre[50];
char author[100];
} book;

How to Access Members

Once you define the structure, you can access it using a full stop,
which is also called the member access operator. This operator is
used as a period or break between the structure member and the
variable name. Make sure to enter the variable name you want to
access. You can define the variable of the entire structure using the
struct keyword. Let us look at an example of how you can use
structures:
#include <iostream>
#include <cstring>
using namespace std;
struct Books {
int book_id;
char book_title[50];
 char genre[50];
char author[100];
};
int main() {
struct Books Book1; // This is where you declare the variable
Book1 in the Book structure
struct Books Book2; // This is where you declare the variable
Book2 in the Book structure
// Let us now look at how you can specify the details of the first
variable
Book1.book_id = 120000;
strcpy( Book1.book_title, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s
Stone");
strcpy( Book1.genre, "Fiction");
strcpy( Book1.author, "JK Rowling");
// Let us now look at how you can specify the details of the second
variable
Book2.book_id = 130000;
strcpy( Book2.book_title, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets");
strcpy( Book2.genre, "Fiction");
strcpy( Book2.author, "JK Rowling");
// The next statements are to print the details of the first and second
variables in the structure
cout << "Book 1 id: " << Book1.book_id <<endl;
cout << "Book 1 title: " << Book1.book_title <<endl;
 cout << "Book 1 genre: " << Book1.genre <<endl;
cout << "Book 1 author: " << Book1.author <<endl;
cout << "Book 2 id: " << Book2.book_id <<endl;
cout << "Book 2 title: " << Book2.book_title <<endl;
cout << "Book 2 genre: " << Book2.genre <<endl ;
cout << "Book 2 author: " << Book2.author <<endl;
return 0;
}
The code above will give you the following output:
Book 1 id: 120000
Book 1 title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Book 1 genre: Fiction
Book 1 author: JK Rowling
Book 2 id: 130000
Book 2 title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Book 2 genre: Fiction
Book 2 author: JK Rowling

Using Structures as Arguments

You can use structures as arguments in a function similar to how you
pass a pointer or variable as part of the function. You need to access
the variables in the structure in the same way as we did in the
example above.
#include <iostream>
#include <cstring>
 Another Random Document on
Scribd Without Any Related Topics
Brad said. “It’s better though I think, to see him
personally. Let’s try to see him later.”

Chips and Red, who were on their way to the public

library, parted with their companions at the next corner.
Brad and Dan went on together, discussing plans for the
week-end Pack ceremony at Mr. Holloway’s cabin.

So absorbed were they in their conversation that they

bumped squarely into a man who had crossed the street
against a red light. The pedestrian was Saul Dobbs.

“Say, watch where you’re going!” he exclaimed before

they could apologize. And then, recognizing the pair, he
exclaimed angrily: “I’ve been hoping to meet you
again!”

Without giving either Dan or Brad opportunity to speak,

the man began to berate them in a loud voice:

“Mr. Silverton let you visit his pheasant farm, didn’t he? [56]
And you promised him you’d stick to the main trails and
not disturb the pheasants! But did you keep your
promise? No! The minute you were out of sight, you
sneak into the restricted area!”

“Just a minute, Mr. Dobbs—” interposed Brad.

“Now don’t try giving me any excuses! You deliberately

went into that section by the creek. I got the goods on
you! And you needn’t deny it either!”

“No one is denying anything,” Dan said hotly. “If you’ll

give us a chance to explain—”

“You won’t do any explaining to me! You’re nothing but

a bunch of unreliable youngsters. If I have my way,
you’ll never set foot on Mr. Silverton’s land again!”

“You’re being unfair,” Brad said quietly. “It’s true two of

the Cubs wandered by mistake into the restricted area.
But we went to see Mr. Silverton a few minutes ago,
intending to explain. We couldn’t because he’s out of
town.”

“A likely story! Well, get this straight! You’re to stay

away from the farm.”

Though resenting Saul Dobbs’ manner, Brad

nevertheless said evenly: “Mr. Silverton gave us
permission to visit the pheasant farm. It seems to me
he’s the one who should decide whether or not our
privileges are withdrawn.”

“I’ll see to that,” Dobbs said, his eyes blazing. “I knew [57]
there’d be trouble to pay when he let you Cubs onto the
property!”

Pushing past the two boys, the foreman started on

down the street.

“Wait, Mr. Dobbs!” Dan called impulsively. “There’s

something we want to tell you—the creek is jammed—”

Dobbs paid not the slightest attention, if indeed, he

heard. He strode on, turning at the corner.

“He’s heading for Mr. Silverton’s office,” Brad guessed.

“Probably he will put in a bad word for us with the
secretary.”

“Everything’s messed up now,” Dan said morosely.

“Dobbs can make the situation look ugly.”
“Trust him to do it too! Well, I’m afraid with Silverton
out of town, all we can do is report to Sam Hatfield and
Mr. Holloway.”

Deeply disturbed by their meeting with Saul Dobbs, the

two boys speculated upon how he had learned that
Chips and Red had entered the restricted area.

“He couldn’t have seen them there or he’d have made a [58]
fuss about it yesterday,” reasoned Brad. “No, he’s
learned about it since. Maybe he came upon footprints.”

At the next corner, the two boys entered a drugstore

where they telephoned Mr. Hatfield to report the failure
of their mission. The Cub leader’s answer was
reassuring.

“Don’t worry about it,” he advised. “I’ll talk to Mr.

Silverton myself when he returns to the city. I’m sure
everything can be straightened out.”

The conversation lifted a load from the minds of the two

Cubs. During the next two days, Brad and Dan went
about their usual affairs, not giving the matter too much
thought. True, they twice telephoned Mr. Silverton’s
office, only to be told he had not returned to the city.

However, at the Pack meeting held Saturday night at Mr.

Holloway’s cabin, their failure to clear up the
misunderstanding was brought forcibly to attention.

Without consulting anyone, Chips and Red had made

their collection of pheasant feathers into an Indian
headdress. With more enthusiasm than tact, they
proudly displayed their handiwork to the Den members.
“Neat, huh?” Chips asked Brad. “Do you think it might [59]
win a prize in the Pack handicraft show?”

“The workmanship is all right,” Brad admitted

reluctantly. “But those feathers—well, I wish you hadn’t
used ’em.”

“They were lying on the ground, going to waste.”

“Sure, I know,” Brad sighed. “I guess there wasn’t

anything wrong about taking ’em, except that they were
picked up where we had no business to be.”

“Then you think we shouldn’t enter the headdress in the

handicraft show?” Chips demanded, a trifle sullenly.
“After all the work Red and I did?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Brad said uncomfortably. “I’ll have

to ask Mr. Hatfield. I’m all mixed up. I just wish
Silverton would get back so we could talk this over and
clear up things.”

Troubled, the older boy looked about for the Cub leader.
Both he and Mr. Holloway were talking to the parents of
the Cubs, answering a multitude of questions. They
were so busy he could not get near either of them.

“Come on, Brad, join in the singing,” called Mrs.

Holloway, signaling him from across the room.

To please her, Brad mingled with the group. At the top

of their lungs, the Cubs were warbling:

“Old Akela had a Pack. E I E I O, [60]

And in this Pack he had some Dens. E I E I O.
With Den 1 here, and Den 2 there
Here a Den, there a Den,
 Everywhere a happy Den,
Old Akela had a Pack. E I E I O.”

Joining in, Brad began to relax and to feel his worries

slipping away. By the time Mr. Hatfield gave the signal
for the Pack meeting to start, he again was in a cheerful
mood.

Six new Bobcats were to be taken into the Pack, among

them Martin Howell, a nine year old, who would join
Den 2.

Due to the soggy ground, it had not seemed advisable

to build an outdoor campfire.

Instead, Mrs. Holloway, with the help of the Cubs, had

made an imitation fire in the center of the cabin room.

In the absence of the Pack Cubmaster, Mr. Hatfield, his

assistant, donned a blanket and Indian headdress in
preparation for conducting the ceremony.

Dan began to beat the tom tom. The Cubs, wearing one [61]
feather to signify Wolf rank, two for Bear, three for Lion,
and four for Webelos, formed a square about the fire.

Upon another signal, Brad brought into the room the

boys who were to be accepted into the Pack as Bobcats.

“Akela,” he said, addressing Mr. Hatfield, “I bring friends

who would join the Tribe of the Webelos.”

“Does the tribe wish them to join?” inquired Mr. Hatfield.

“Let them enter!” chanted the Pack members in unison.

Acting as Den Chief, Brad then led the newcomers into
the square, so that they faced Mr. Hatfield.

“Do our friends know the Law of the Pack and are they
ready to follow it?” asked Mr. Hatfield.

“They do, Akela.”

“Then let them repeat the Law.”

Solemnly the boys spoke the words:

“The Cub FOLLOWS Akela.

The Cub HELPS the Pack go.
The Pack HELPS the Cub Grow.
The Cub GIVES good will.”

Mr. Hatfield then asked the parents of the candidates to [62]

come forward to stand by their sons. Welcoming them
to the Pack, he explained briefly that Cubbing was a
program for the entire family, and one which centered
about the home circle.

The ceremony ended and the meeting broke up with

another song.

Remaining to help clear away the litter after the others

had gone, Brad and Dan walked down to the river’s
edge with Mr. Holloway.

“The river seems to be rising again,” the Den Dad said,

checking the level. “As yet, it is not alarming. But a hard
rain on top of what we’ve had might flood the
lowlands.”

“I wonder if Dobbs has cleared out that dam in the

creek?” Dan remarked, turning to stare across the river
toward the Silverton property. “We tried to tell him
about it but he acted so ugly—”

The boy broke off so suddenly that Mr. Holloway who

was retying the boat, straightened up quickly.

“What do you see, Dan?” he asked.

“Nothing now, Mr. Holloway. A second ago—just as I

spoke, I thought I saw a flashing light across the river.”

“Where, Dan?”

“On Mr. Silverton’s land, or close to it. Near the old [63]
logging road, I’d judge.”

“I see nothing now.”

“No, sir. The flash only lasted a second. There, it is

again! See!”

This time both Brad and Mr. Holloway saw the shooting
beam of light. Close to the ground, it shone brightly for
a moment and then disappeared.

“It might have been an automobile headlight or possibly

a spot light,” Mr. Holloway said. “Odd that an automobile
would be on that old road at this time of night.”

“Shouldn’t we go there to find out if anything is wrong?”

“I hardly think so,” Mr. Holloway replied, smiling at the

boy’s eagerness. “Someone possibly may be prowling on
Mr. Silverton’s premises. More likely though, Dobbs or
another employee is doing night work. In any case, it is
none of our affair.”
 [65]

CHAPTER 6
Indian Feathers

On the day following the meeting of the Pack, Dan,

Brad, Chips and Red tried once more to see Mr.
Silverton in his office.

The receptionist informed them that the sportsman had

returned to Webster City, but was not expected in that
day. Questioned further by Brad, she said she thought
her employer had driven to his pheasant farm.

Once outside the building, Chips proposed that the Cubs

go there to see him. “Let’s get it over with!” he said
impatiently. “This suspense of not knowing what’s what
is getting me!”

“Here too,” chimed in Red. “If we’ve got to apologize,

I’m for doing it right away.”

“I suppose we could hike out there,” Brad agreed

reluctantly. “It’s a long walk though.”

“Let’s go,” urged Dan. “The Cubs will be expecting a

report at our next Den meeting.”

Anxious to get the matter settled one way or another, [66]

the four boys set off for the Silverton Pheasant Farm.
In passing through the village, they waved a friendly
salute to the proprietor of the general store. If the
storekeeper saw them, he gave no sign. At the moment,
Brad thought nothing of the incident, though later it was
to return to mind.

As the Cubs tramped on to the woodland trail, Dan

spoke once more of the strange lights seen the previous
night near the old logging road. Red considered the
incident of slight consequence.

“Saul Dobbs or some of Mr. Silverton’s men probably

were working late,” he said. “Think nothing of it.”

“But it seems sort of queer, Red.”

“What’s queer about it? Dan, you’re always trying to

build a mystery out of nothing.”

“I am huh?” Dan shot back. “If that’s so, then why did
Mr. Hatfield—”

He broke off as Brad shot him a warning glance.

Belatedly, he remembered their promise to say nothing
about the trip made with the Cub leader along the old
logging road.

“Why did Mr. Hatfield—what?” demanded Chips.

“Oh, nothing,” Dan said, and deliberately changed the [67]

subject.

Without meeting anyone, the Cubs rapidly made their

way along the narrow trail. Crossing the footbridge, they
came presently within view of the barn.
Saul Dobbs, who had been repairing a wire fence in one
of the pheasant pens, noted the approach of the Cubs.

With an exclamation of anger, he dropped his tools and

strode toward them.

“What did I tell you about staying away from here?” he

demanded, deliberately blocking the path.

“We were told Mr. Silverton is here,” Brad said. “We

came to see him.”

“Well, Mr. Silverton has no time to see you. Now git out
and don’t come back!”

Resenting the workman’s manner, the Cubs stood their

ground. Brad had noticed a large blue automobile
parked not far from the barn.

“Is that Mr. Silverton’s car?” he inquired.

“Git out!” Dobbs ordered again, without answering the

question. “Mr. Silverton said this morning not to allow
any Cubs ever to set foot on his land again!”

“Mr. Silverton gave such an order?” Brad gasped in [68]

disbelief.

“He sure did,” Dobbs retorted in great satisfaction. “You

broke the rules by going into the restricted area, so now
you can take your medicine!”

“You won’t listen to our explanation!” Dan broke in

hotly. “At least give us a chance to talk to Mr. Silverton.”

“I told you he won’t see you and that’s final!”

Angrily, Saul Dobbs grasped Dan by the shoulders and
turned him squarely around in the path. “Now git!”

“You’re just making that up about Mr. Silverton not

wanting to see us!” Chips shouted, ready to do battle in
Dan’s defense. “You mean you don’t want us to talk to
him.”

Brad placed a restraining hand on the excited boy’s

shoulder.

“Come on, Chips,” he advised. “No sense making a fuss.

We’ll see Mr. Silverton later on.”

“Like fun you will,” Saul Dobbs muttered as the four

Cubs started away. “I’m telling you, he’s had his fill of
young tereduns.”

Completely discouraged, the boys treked back to the [69]

village. By now they were firmly convinced that if Dobbs
had not poisoned Mr. Silverton’s mind against them, he
would do so at the first opportunity.

“This is getting serious,” Brad said. “We’ve got to see

Silverton somehow, even if it means calling his office
every day.”

Warm and out-of-sorts from the long hike, the four boys
dropped in at a village drugstore for ice cream. The
proprietor glanced rather sharply at them as they
entered a booth at the rear of the store, or so it seemed
to Brad.

“Anything wrong with us today?” he remarked to the

Cubs. “Everyone seems to give us the icy stare.”

“Hadn’t noticed it,” Dan replied, reaching for the menu.

“Well, maybe I imagined it,” the Den Chief shrugged.

But later, after the four had finished their ice cream,
Chips paused at the counter rack a moment to flip the
pages of a comic magazine.

“No loitering,” the drugstore owner reprimanded him. “If

you’ve finished eating, go on outside. I can’t have you
cluttering up the place.”

“Well, for crying out loud!” Chips remonstrated. “We’ll [70]

be glad to leave, and we won’t come back either!”

Indignant over the rebuff, the four boys paid their bill
and left the drugstore. However, Brad was deeply
disturbed by what had occurred.

“We weren’t doing anything,” he said. “Chips barely had

glanced at the magazine when the proprietor jumped
him.”

“Just another old crab!” declared Red. “This town’s full

of ’em.”

“I’m afraid there’s more to it than that,” Brad said

uneasily. “When we first went into the drugstore, the
proprietor glanced at our uniforms in a rather odd—
almost contemptuous way.”

“Our uniforms?” Dan repeated, puzzled. “What’s wrong

with the Cub uniform?”

“Nothing. But he looked at us almost as if he were down

on Cubs in general. And earlier, that grocery store
owner seemed to give us the cold shoulder.”
“He did at that,” recalled Red. “The last time we were
here with Mr. Hatfield he was beaming at us as if we
were favorite sons.”

“Even strangers on the street grinned at us and acted [71]

friendly just because we were Cubs,” Dan added. “How
do you explain the sudden change?”

“I don’t know, but I have a hunch—” Brad began, only

to allow his voice to trail off.

A large blue automobile rounded the corner, taking the

main highway toward Webster City. Both Brad and Dan
recognized the driver as Paul Silverton.

“There he is now!” Brad exclaimed. “Maybe he’s driving

back to his office.”

“Let’s trail him there, and have this thing out,” Chips
urged. “We ought to catch him, if we hike right back to
Webster City.”

Brad however, had a better idea. Knowing that Mr.

Silverton might go to his home rather than the office, he
suggested that they wait fifteen minutes, and then
telephone for an appointment.

“That’s the ticket!” approved Dan.

As the Cubs loitered around the village streets, they

became increasingly aware of unfriendly stares directed
toward them. While not everyone they met seemed
hostile, now and then they were scrutinized with an
intent gaze which made them uncomfortable.

“Have we got measles or something?” Red muttered. [72]

“Someone has been doing us dirt in this town,” Brad
volunteered his opinion. “And I have a hunch who it is
too!”

“Saul Dobbs?” Dan demanded.

“I’m not making any accusations just yet. After we’ve

talked to Mr. Silverton we may have the answer. Come
on, let’s make that telephone call.”

Seeking another drugstore at the edge of the village,

the Cubs dialed the number of Mr. Silverton’s office.
Again they were informed he had not returned.

Brad next called the sportsman’s home. Finally, after

considerable delay, he heard Mr. Silverton on the other
end of the line.

“Mr. Silverton,” he began, in his eagerness, talking too

rapidly. “I’m sorry to bother you at your home, but
there’s an important matter the Cubs feel should be
straightened out. It’s about visiting your pheasant farm
—”

“You’re one of those boys who came to my office?”

“Yes, I’m Brad Wilbur.”

“Well, get this!” said Mr. Silverton speaking with biting [73]
accent “Your privileges are at an end! Now don’t bother
me again!”

“Mr. Silverton, let me explain,” Brad said quickly. “I

assure you we didn’t deliberately break our promise—”

“You’ll explain nothing to me,” the sportsman replied.

“I’ve seen quite enough of your behavior. The Cubs may
consider themselves lucky if I don’t notify their parents
and the police!”

And with that remark, Mr. Silverton slammed the

telephone receiver.

Brad, bewildered by the tongue lashing he had received,

called the telephone number again. But Mr. Silverton
would not answer.

“What did he say, Brad?” Dan demanded as the Den

Chief turned to face the group of Cubs.

“Plenty! We’re to stay away from the farm.”

“It’s just like we thought,” Chips declared. “Old Dobbs

got to him first and gave him a line about us.”

“I guess so,” Brad nodded gloomily. “Silverton said we

could consider ourselves lucky that he hadn’t notified
our parents or the police.”

“The police!” Dan burst out. “How does he figure? Even

if we did make a mistake and go into the restricted area
of the farm, that’s no crime! He couldn’t turn us over to
Juvenile Court authorities for that, could he?”

“I shouldn’t think so,” Brad said, frowning. “But there [74]

may be more to this than appears on the surface.”

“Meaning what?” demanded Red.

“Well, I don’t know. That’s what bothers me. Mr.

Silverton acted as if we had done something serious.
And you’ve noticed how the townsfolk here act toward
us.”
“Dobbs may have been telling them tales too!” Chips
said bitterly. “Why don’t we have it out with that bird?”

“If only we could see Mr. Silverton face to face, maybe

we could make him understand,” Dan ventured. “Any
chance he’ll talk to us?”

“I’m afraid not,” replied Brad. “He slammed the receiver

and now he won’t answer the ’phone.”

Leaving the drugstore, the four boys crossed the bridge

and started on the long walk back to Webster City. Their
spirits depressed, they had little to say.

Chips and Red were inclined to feel slightly abused. On [75]

the other hand, Brad and Dan were worried because all
the Cubs had been blamed for an innocent mistake.
Without question, unless the matter were cleared up,
the reputation of Den 2 would severely suffer.

At Denwood Avenue, Red and Chips took leave of their

companions, going to their separate homes. Brad and
Dan continued toward the residential section of Brandon
Heights.

“Mr. Silverton lives somewhere in this part of the city,

doesn’t he?” Dan asked thoughtfully.

“256 Eagle Road,” Brad replied, recalling the number

from having read it in the telephone directory.

“That’s only two streets from here. Brad, why don’t we

go there and try to see him?”

“Again?” Brad kicked a pebble across the sidewalk.

“What’s the use?”
“Well, I hate to give up,” Dan said doggedly. “If we’d
actually done anything so bad, I’d be in favor of taking
our medicine as Dobbs said. But Silverton at least ought
to listen to our side of the story.”

“All right, we can try,” Brad consented, though without

enthusiasm. “Maybe if we tell him about that log jam,
he’ll soften up a bit.”

Two blocks farther on, the boys came to Eagle Road, an [76]
exclusive residential street in which the homes were few
and far apart. High above the river valley, the large
dwellings overlooked the business section of the city.

Mr. Silverton’s home near the end of the winding street,

was hemmed in behind a tall privet hedge which half-
hid a view of the handsome 15-room brick home. At the
rear was a rose garden.

“Nice little shack Mr. Silverton has here,” Dan observed,

impressed.

“A butler probably will answer the door and say his

master regrets he cannot see us,” Brad declared as he
unlatched the front gate.

But in walking up to the porch, Dan spied Mr. Silverton

at the west side of the yard, talking to a gardener who
was weeding a flower bed.

“We’re in luck, Brad!” he exclaimed. “There he is now!”

The wealthy sportsman saw the boys as they crossed

the lawn. Straightening up from the flower bed, he
regarded them with cold disapproval.
“Mr. Silverton, we apologize for intruding,” Brad said.
“We wouldn’t have come, only we want to clear up the
misunderstanding.”

“As far as I am concerned, there is no [77]

misunderstanding,” Mr. Silverton answered, starting
toward the house. “I understand only too well.”

“Saul Dobbs prejudiced you against us,” Dan accused,

following after the sportsman, who plainly intended to
walk away from the pair.

“Prejudiced me?” Mr. Silverton paused and turned

angrily toward Brad and Dan. “I saw the evidence with
my own eyes!”

“Evidence?” Brad caught him up. “You mean footprints

in the restricted area?”

“I mean dead pheasants. Two of my most valuable

cocks imported from Burma were killed!”

“When, sir?” gasped Brad, stunned by the disclosure.

“Saul Dobbs found them yesterday not far from the

creek.”

“Surely you don’t think the Cubs had anything to do

with it,” said Dan in quick protest.

For reply, Mr. Silverton dug into the pocket of his sports
jacket and brought forth a tarnished badge bearing the
design of a wolf with two pointed ears.

“This was found close to the two dead pheasants,” he

informed cuttingly. “Recognize it?”
“A wolf rank badge,” Brad admitted. “Maybe it’s the one [78]
Red lost.”

“Furthermore,” Mr. Silverton went on, “Dobbs has been

making a check of the pheasants. A large number of the
common variety seem to be missing. Some may have
flown over the fences, but others have been taken.”

“You can’t accuse the Cubs of that!” Brad said,

beginning to lose control of his temper. “After all, we
were only there once, and no damage was done. Two of
our Cubs by mistake entered the restricted area, but
they did no harm.”

“No doubt you believe that to be true,” the sportsman

said. “But this little badge proves otherwise. As I told
you, it was found not far from the dead pheasants.”

“We saw no birds when we went after Chips and Red,”

Brad recalled. “The pheasants must have died
afterwards of a natural death.”

“Possibly so. But that’s neither here nor there. They died
from having been jammed against some heavy object
and bruised. Many of the tail feathers were missing.”

“Red and Chips wouldn’t have harmed any of the

pheasants,” Dan insisted.

Mr. Silverton now seemed determined to bring the [79]

conversation to an end.

“How can you say what your friends did when they were
out of your sight?” he demanded.

“Well, Chips and Red wouldn’t do a thing like that,” Dan

said rather lamely. “After all, they’re Cubs.”
“And Cubs need feathers for Indian headgears!” Mr.
Silverton retorted.

Having delivered this parting shot, he dropped the Wolf

badge at Dan’s feet, and without another word, walked
into the house.

[81]
 CHAPTER 7
A Night Excursion

Brad and Dan were too stunned by Mr. Silverton’s final

accusation to make any attempt to follow him toward
the house.

As they stood gazing after the sportsman, the gardener

in an attempt to soften his employer’s dismissal, said
kindly:

“Mr. Silverton’s out of sorts today, lads. It was a blow to

him losing those pheasants. He sets great store by ’em.”

“We told him the truth,” Brad said, stooping to pick up

the Wolf badge from the grass. “The Cubs never
intended to break any rules. As for killing the pheasants
—well, I can’t believe it!”

The gardener leaned comfortably on his hoe. “It’s like

the boss said,” he observed. “You may be honest and
square yourselves, but how can you vouch for your
friends? You didn’t see what they did while they were
alone?”

“No, but—”
“And showing those Indian feathers at the village the [82]
way they did,” the gardener went on. “Why, it was
circumstantial evidence! When Dobbs told around that
the Cubs had trespassed, it was only natural folks would
put two and two together.”

“So that was what Mr. Silverton meant when he spoke

of the Indian headdress,” Brad muttered. “And it
explains why the villagers gave us such icy looks today!
The Cubs are in Dutch everywhere.”

“It makes me sick,” Dan said in disgust. “Come on,

Brad.”

Sunk in gloom, the two boys left the residential

property, and with no destination in mind, went on
down the street. The gardener’s words, together with
Mr. Silverton’s accusations, now made everything plain.

The entire Cub organization had been incriminated on

the basis of two pieces of evidence—the finding of the
Wolf Cub badge near the dead pheasants, and the
thoughtless display of the Indian headdress by Chips
and Red.

“I knew those feathers would get us into trouble,” Brad

remarked glumly. “And believe me, we’re really in the
soup!”

“Brad, you don’t think—”

“That Chips or Red killed those birds for the feathers? [83]
No, I don’t, Dan. But Silverton’s accusation is serious.
We’ve got to see Mr. Hatfield about this right away!”

The two boys, anxious to unburden themselves, sought

Mr. Hatfield at Scout Headquarters. He listened
attentively to the entire report, and then surprised them
by saying:

“To tell you the truth, I’ve been a little afraid something
like this would develop.”

“Then you knew about the dead pheasants?” Brad

asked in amazement.

“No, but I noticed a few things at the pheasant farm

which bothered me. By the way, you told Mr. Silverton
about the log jam in the creek?”

Brad and Dan gazed at each other in disgust.

“I guess we’re just plain dumb,” Dan apologized. “We

forgot about it.”

“Well, that’s not surprising, considering how upset you

were about Mr. Silverton’s accusations,” the Cub leader
said, reaching for his telephone.

“You’re calling Mr. Silverton now?” asked Brad.

“No, first I want to talk to Chips and Red again. I’ll ask
them to come down here for a few minutes if they can.”

In response to the call from the Cub leader, the other [84]
two boys made a speedy trip downtown again. Mr.
Hatfield, in the presence of the four, then asked Dan to
repeat the accusations made against the Cubs by the
pheasant farm owner.

“First, is this your badge?” he asked Red, showing him

the one Brad had brought to the office.

“It sure is!” Red cried. “Where’d you find it?”

“Mr. Silverton picked it up on his farm near a couple of
dead pheasants,” the Cub leader answered. “Red,
serious accusations have been made against all the
Cubs. I called you here to ask you a couple of
questions.”

“Shoot!” invited Red, shifting his weight uneasily.

“You and Chips showed that Indian feather headdress

around at the village and elsewhere?”

“Why, yes,” Red admitted. “I guess maybe we shouldn’t

have picked up the feathers, but we didn’t see any harm
in it at the time. We were kinda proud of the thing after
we made it.”

“Now for the second question. You boys found the

feathers lying on the ground?”

“We sure did, Mr. Hatfield. I hope you don’t think that
either Chips or I would have taken them from live
birds?”

“I’ll show you the very place we picked them up,” Chips [85]
added. “You can bet your life we didn’t go around
plucking ’em out of live birds!”

“Considering that Mr. Silverton has told the Cubs to keep

off his property, I’m afraid I won’t be able to see the
place,” Mr. Hatfield said, smiling. “But I do accept your
word.”

“How are we going to prove to other folks that we didn’t

steal the feathers?” Red demanded. “First off, I’ll pitch
that Indian headgear.”
“No, Red. The damage has been done. Hiding the
headdress now would only tend to confirm suspicions.”

“You mean Chips and I can enter it in the Pack

handicraft show? I’m not sure I’d want to after what’s
happened.”

“There’s plenty of time to decide that later on,” Mr.

Hatfield returned. He arose from his desk, a signal that
the interview was at an end. “Meanwhile, I’ll see you all
at the Indian Pow Wow tomorrow night.”

With the help of Mr. and Mrs. Holloway, the Den had
planned its weekly meeting on an Indian theme. Midge
and Fred had spent the better part of four days setting
up a tepee in the Holloway back yard. The taut gunny
sacking had been painted with gaudy colors in Indian
designs.

“Hope it doesn’t rain again and ruin the job,” Midge [86]
remarked, as he surveyed his work.

Nearly all of the Cubs had finished their bows and

arrows, and a few now were working on other items
they hoped to enter in the Pack handicraft show.

Admittedly, the elaborate feather headdress made by

Chips and Red, was by far the best article so far turned
out by Den 2.

But while the two boys followed the Cub leader’s

instructions and brought the headgear to the Pow Wow
on the appointed night, they no longer were proud of
their handiwork.

Though the other Cubs were careful to avoid the

subject, everyone knew that the feathers had become a
symbol of the uncleared charge hanging over their
heads.

Entirely unknown to the Den members, Mr. Holloway

and the Cub leader had tried without success to see
Paul Silverton the previous day.

Through his secretary, the sportsman had sent word

that he was “in conference” and could not be disturbed.

Determined that the unfortunate affair should not mar [87]

the Indian Pow Wow, Mr. Hatfield and Mr. Holloway
made no mention of their failure to iron out differences.

By the time the parents of the Cubs began to arrive at

the Holloways, a roaring Council fire was burning in the
beach area near where the Indian tepee had been set
up.

At a smaller fire, some distance away, Mrs. Holloway

stirred a huge kettle of fragrant stew which would be
served after the ceremony.

The tomtoms presently burst into life, and Sam Hatfield,

garbed in an Indian blanket, took the center of the
circle.

Relating the story of Akela, chief of the Webelos Tribe,

he told of the strength and wisdom of the great leader’s
father, “Arrow of Light,” and of his mother, “Kind Eyes.”

“From the Wolf of the forest, Akela learned the

language of the earth,” he told the listening Cubs. “And
from the Bears, he acquired the secret names of the
trees and the calls of the birds. Courage he learned
from the Lion.”
Mr. Hatfield then explained that the Webelos tribal name [88]
had an inner meaning which in the organization
signified progress from Wolf rank, through Bear and
Lion classification to the ultimate goal of full fledged
Scout.

“We-be-lo-s,” he repeated, spelling it slowly. “Loyal we’ll

be.”

“And what does ‘Arrow of Light’ signify?” inquired Mack.

“Progress toward good citizenship. Cubs, like the

Indians of old, must be self-controlled, loyal, game and
quiet—willing to talk little and listen much.”

“If our Cubs live up to the rules—if they are square and
game—our Den will be respected and make its influence
felt in the community,” added Mr. Suell, one of the Den
fathers.

The first part of the program completed, he then told

the Cubs of an exciting trip he recently had taken to
Mesa Verde National Park, site of the cliff dwellers.

The Cubs asked a great many questions and examined

pottery and blankets which Mr. Suell had brought back
from the Indian country. After that, Fred, Mack and Dan
put on an Indian ceremonial dance, characterized by
more energy than grace.

Presently the Pow Wow concluded with all the Den [89]
members forming a “living circle.” In close formation,
facing inward, each Cub grasped the thumb of the boy
on his left, raising right hand high in the two-finger Cub
sign.
Up and down like a pump handle went their hands as
the boys shouted: “Akela, we’ll do our Best!”

At the word “Best,” all the Cubs snapped smartly into

salutes.

“Now for grub!” shouted Red, breaking away. “That stuff

in the kettle sure smells good!”

“Lead me to it,” yelled Chips.

Dan and Brad circulated among the parents, waiting

until everyone had been served before they took their
helpings of stew.

In the chill night air, the hot food exactly hit the spot.
Time after time, the Cubs went back for more until the
big kettle was nearly empty.

Brad and Dan sat slightly apart from the others, their
faces splashed with firelight. They were silently staring
out across the dark river, when Mr. Hatfield, coming up
behind them, touched their shoulders.

“Don’t say anything to the other Cubs,” he warned in a [90]

low tone. “Just follow me to the beach.”

“What’s up?” Brad asked in surprise.

“I’ll tell you at the beach.”

Wondering why the Cub leader was acting so

mysteriously, the pair quickly put aside their plates, and
joined him at the dock. To their further surprise, Mr.
Hatfield began to untie the dinghy.

“What’s doing?” Brad asked again.

“That’s exactly what I propose to find out,” Mr. Hatfield
replied. “A few minutes ago, I heard a car turn down
into the old logging road.”

“Near Silverton’s place?” Dan interposed.

“Yes, at least I think the car was on the logging road.

And I’m quite certain I saw a flashing light on Mr.
Silverton’s property.”

“Then I was right the other night about that flashing

light!” Dan cried. “Are you going to investigate?”

“Figured I might row up the river and look around. Want

to ride along?”

“We sure do,” Brad declared, stepping into the boat.

“I’ve already told your parents not to expect you home [91]
for an hour,” the Cub leader said as he shoved off. “I
have my car here and will drop you off at your homes
after we get back.”

Few lights showed along the dark shore as Mr. Hatfield

silently plied the oars. The boat spurted along, propelled
by powerful strokes. Nearby, a sizeable fish leaped from
the swift moving water, and fell back with a splash.

Hunched into their jackets, Dan and Brad speculated

upon what the Cub leader might expect to see or find
once they reached the old logging road.

“Maybe we have no business going there,” Mr. Hatfield

said presently, swerving the boat toward shore, “but I
figure it this way. The Cubs are under suspicion, and it’s
up to us to clear our name if we can.”
“You think someone may be sneaking into Silverton’s
place at night and taking pheasants?” Dan guessed.
“Then we get the blame!”

“It’s an angle I intend to investigate,” Mr. Hatfield

admitted. “In looking around though, we’ll have to
respect Mr. Silverton’s order not to trespass.”

“In that case, it may not be easy to learn anything,”

Brad said, a little disappointed.

Without replying, the Cub leader eased the boat in until [92]
it grated on the beach. Brad and Dan leaped out into
the wet sand, and with Mr. Hatfield’s aid, pulled the
craft well beyond reach of the greedy waves.

The three hid the oars in a clump of bushes and set off
at a fast walk toward the exit of the old logging road.

As they approached the log fence barrier, Dan suddenly

halted.

“Say, isn’t that a car coming out of the road now?” he

demanded.

In the obscure light shed by a half moon, they saw a

shadowy figure replacing the removable rails of the
fence opening. Another man sat behind the wheel of a
station wagon which had passed through to the main
highway.

“Come on!” Mr. Hatfield urged the Cubs, hastening his

step. “Let’s see who they are before they drive away!”

However, as he spoke, the man at the fence suddenly

abandoned his effort to replace the rail. Allowing it to
drop to the ground, he moved swiftly to the waiting
station wagon and scrambled in.

With a roar of the engine, the station wagon pulled [93]

away.

“Quick! See if you can read the license number!” Mr.

Hatfield exclaimed, turning the beam of his flashlight on
the rear plate.

“Can’t make it out,” Brad muttered. “The plate is

covered with mud. Maybe on purpose.”

“I thought the first two letters were WA,” Dan said.

“Couldn’t be sure though.”

Mr. Hatfield went over to the rail fence.

“That car may have had a right to be on Silverton’s

property,” he commented as he stooped to lift the loose
rail into place. “All the same, I didn’t like the way those
fellows rushed off when they saw us coming.”

“They were up to something, all right,” declared Dan.

“They acted as if they were afraid we’d see them.”

An automobile whizzed past on the main highway, its

bright headbeam momentarily illuminating the logging
road exit.

Dan bent to tie a dangling shoelace. In stooping, he

noticed a small piece of cardboard lying by the railing
almost at his feet.

Absently he picked it up, thinking that it looked a little [94]

like a railroad ticket check. Then his interest quickened.
“Say, turn on your flashlight a minute, Mr. Hatfield!” he
exclaimed. “I think I’ve found something!”

[95]
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