"That wouldn't be quite fair, Dave," broke in Phil. "If he has got to be watched, let us take turns at doing it." "We might bind him fast to the cot," suggested Mr. Wadsworth. "He's so slick I'd be afraid to risk that," answered Dave. "I'll not mind staying up watching him." "Let us all take a hand at it," broke in Ben. "Every fellow can go on guard-duty for two hours, and call the next fellow." And so, after a little discussion, the matter was arranged. "I suppose I'm not to have anything to eat?" grumbled Link Merwell, a little later, when they were arranging to place him in the woodshed, which was a small lean-to of the Wadsworth bungalow. This place was used for the storage of firewood, but just now was almost empty. "Oh, yes, we'll see to it that you get something to eat," answered Mrs. Wadsworth, quickly. "I haven't had a square meal for twenty-four hours," went on the prisoner. "Give him all he wants, but nothing fancy," said Mr. Wadsworth. "He deserves nothing but the plainest kind of victuals." "Where have you kept yourself since you ran away from Mr. Appleby's camp?" questioned Phil, curiously. "Oh, I just roamed around in the woods," was the somewhat sullen answer. "Did you meet that wild man more than once?" questioned Roger. "No. If it hadn't been for that fellow, whoever he is, you wouldn't have caught me," added Link, bitterly. "I wonder what the Pooles will do when Mr. Basswood tells them what we think, that it is Mr. Wilbur Poole," came from Dave. "Perhaps they will send some of the sanitarium authorities up to try to catch him." "I hope they do catch him!" came from Jessie. "I'll never feel safe as long as that man is at large." CHAPTER XXI THE ESCAPE Mr. Dunston Porter had been down to Carpen Falls for a walk and to get the mail. He returned late that evening, bringing several letters with him. He was of course much surprised to learn of the capture of Link Merwell, and listened with interest to the details concerning the affair. Among the letters which his uncle had brought along was one for Dave, which he read with deep interest. It was from Nat Poole, who evidently had not yet heard anything regarding his missing uncle.