Part 16 (1/2)

”We'll take you both home,” said Phil, promptly, looking at Mary.

”But we don't want to keep you from what you were going to do,” said Vera.

”Oh, we were only out for a walk,” replied Dave. ”We'll walk to town with you. Maybe we'll hear something more of this strange fellow.”

All turned back on the road that led close to Oak Hall, and after discussing the wild man from various points of view, the conversation turned to other matters. The girls told of what they had been doing during the past holidays and asked the boys about themselves.

”I heard that that horrid Jasniff is under arrest,” said Vera to Dave. ”I am glad of it. It is a pity that Merwell got away.”

”Perhaps,” answered our hero. ”But, somehow, I sometimes think that Link Merwell will turn over a new leaf.”

Vera looked back, to make sure that none of the others were near.

”Just like Mr. Plum, I suppose you mean,” she whispered. ”Oh, it was splendid, what you did for him, Dave!”

”Oh, I didn't do much for Gus.”

”My brother thinks you did. He heard the whole story. It was brave and n.o.ble of you, it was indeed!” And Vera's face showed her earnestness.

”Well, Gus has turned out a nice fellow. I wish Merwell would turn out as good.”

”But he helped to take those jewels.”

”That is true--and that will always be a black mark against him,” said Dave, soberly.

Soon all reached the outskirts of Oakdale and there, at one of the corners, the boys left the girls.

”Pretty late!” cried Gus Plum, consulting the watch he carried. ”We'll have to hike back lively, if we don't want to be marked up for tardiness.”

”We can get an excuse, if we tell about the wild man,” said Buster.

”I've hurried all I'm going to.”

”We'll certainly have a yarn to spin when we get back to the school,”

was Phil's comment.

At the entrance to the campus the boys, who were a little late, met the first a.s.sistant to Doctor Clay. As my old readers know Mr. Dale was as pleasant as Job Haskers was disagreeable.

”Had a fine walk, boys?” he asked, with a smile.

”We had an adventure,” answered Dave, and then he and his chums told what it was.

”Well! well! that wild man again,” mused the instructor. ”This is getting truly serious. I was hoping he would leave this neighborhood.

And so he calls himself the King of Sumatra? That is strange.”

”It certainly is strange,” answered Dave.

But how strange, our hero was still to find out.