In his mind Browning was thinking how he would growl at Merry for causing them so much trouble. He even thought of the words he would use. But as they came nearer and nearer to the side of the island near which the yacht was anchored, their spirits fell again and they were beset by doubts and fears. What if they should not find Frank waiting for them when they arrived? These doubts caused them to walk slower and slower, for they dreaded to hear that Frank was still missing. "It seems to me," said Bart, "that it is very probable Merriwell will not be with Jack and Hans." "He may not be," confessed Bruce. "If he had returned, they would have fired guns and done things to let us know it." "We might not have heard them." "We should. The wind is right. We are near the yacht now." Bruce felt like turning back and making another search. He dreaded to return and report that they had discovered nothing save the name of the missing lad on the headstone of a grave. All at once they came out of the woods upon the high bank, from which position they could look down into the cove where the yacht lay. There she was, swinging idly with the incoming tide, and on her deck they could see Dunnerwust and Diamond. Merriwell was not in sight. Almost as soon as they came out of the thick woods, they were seen by Diamond, and he called to them: "What have you found?" "Nothing," answered Hodge, gloomily. "Hasn't Frank returned?" "No!" CHAPTER XXVII. SLIPPERY MR. COOLER. Immediately Diamond and Dunnerwust got into the boat, which floated beside the yacht. They took guns, and Hans soon rowed the boat ashore. Bart and Bruce came down the bank and told them where they had been and what they had seen. On hearing about the name on the headstone, Diamond became greatly excited. "My God!" he cried. "Can it be that Frank has been killed? If so, I'll never forgive myself for letting him follow that man alone! Oh, that treacherous little devil! I could strangle him! I wish I had him here now!" "So do I, py Chorch!" shouted Hans. "It would not be healthy for Mr. Cooler," said Browning. "Were you speaking of me, young gentlemen?" chirped a familiar voice, and down the bank came the man in gray, calmly walking up to the astonished lads. "I hope you were not saying anything behind my back that you do not care to repeat before my face." "No!" rang out the clear voice of the Virginian. "I called you a treacherous little devil, and I repeat it!" "That's complimentary, to say the least," grinned the man in gray, in his provokingly careless manner. "But I'd like to know what I have done to lead you to speak thus disparagingly of me. Wouldst tell me?" Browning reached out and collared the queer old fellow, lifting him off his feet and swinging him around so he was in the midst of them. "There!" grunted the big Yale man, with satisfaction. "Now we have you! You can't run, so don't try it!"