Dave and Phil rushed forward fully expecting to find Merwell seriously hurt. But in falling the youth had been fortunate enough to catch hold of some of the trailing vines, and these had stayed his progress somewhat, so that all he received was a violent shaking-up. "Don--don't let--let him sho--shoot me!" spluttered Link Merwell, as he turned over and scrambled to his feet. Then, for the first time recognizing those who stood before him, his face showed more concern than ever. "Who's that fellow who attacked you, Link?" asked Dave, quickly. "I don't know--some crazy old lunatic, I suppose," muttered the former student of Oak Hall. "Is he--he--coming after me?" "No, he just dashed out of sight," answered Phil. "He's the same chap who nearly scared the girls to death," he added to Dave. "How do you know? He didn't look like that fellow," returned our hero. "I recognized him by his voice, even though he is dressed quite differently, Dave. He must be as crazy as they make them." "Oh, so you know him, do you?" put in Link Merwell, questioningly. He had gotten to his feet and was now straightening out his apparel. "I must say, Link, I didn't think I was going to have the pleasure of meeting you so soon," said Dave, with a little bit of pardonable sarcasm. "Humph!" Link Merwell was on the point of saying more, but bit his lip and kept silent. "So you were on board the steam yacht when she took fire," put in Phil. "I was." "Why didn't you show yourself; were you afraid?" "That was my business. I didn't have to show myself if I didn't want to." "We know well enough why you didn't show yourself, Link," broke in our hero. "And we also know why you left Mr. Appleby's camp so suddenly. You were afraid of arrest." "Who told you that?" "Nobody told us. We know it," went on Dave. "You have escaped several times, but I guess we've got you now." "Hi! don't you dare to touch me!" exclaimed Link Merwell, in fresh alarm. "You haven't got any right to put your hands on me." "Right or wrong, Link, we are going to make you a prisoner," declared Phil, and advancing he caught the youth who had helped to rob Mr. Wadsworth's jewelry works by the arm. "You let me go, Phil Lawrence! If you don't it will be the worse for you!" bawled Link, and tried to wrench himself loose. "Here, none of that!" broke in Dave, quickly, and stepping forward, he caught the evildoer by the other arm. "You just march along with us!" "I won't go!" bawled the boy who had gotten himself into trouble. "Let go of me, I tell you!" He started to struggle, and for a minute or two Dave and Phil had all they could do to hold him. Then, in sudden viciousness, Link kicked out, taking Dave in the shin. "Oh, so that's your game, is it?" cried Dave, his anger rising. And then, as Link kicked out once more, he caught the foot and gave the youth a shove that sent him sprawling on his back. Before Link could arise, Dave rushed in and sat down heavily on him.