The car had started down the incline! "God help me!" The rumbling sound grew louder and louder. The car was gathering speed as it came on. "Frank--Frank Merriwell!" He heard Browning call near at hand, and now he made a mighty effort and answered: "Here! Quick! Help!" The big Yale man came rushing to the track, followed by Hodge, just as the car loaded with granite came into view. Instantly Bruce realized the peril of the lad who was bound to the rails, and he saw there was no time to cut the ropes and set Frank free. With a hoarse shout he leaped forward, catching up a stout stick of timber in an instant. One end of the timber he thrust under the rails of the track, and then he lifted on the other end with all his wonderful strength. The track was old, the ties were rotten, and the spikes gave way. The rail was pried aside in a moment. Then Bruce went at the other and tore that up. The car was upon him. He made a great leap backward and got off the track barely in time. Then, an instant later, the car, loaded with granite, left the rails and shot down the bank, spilling the slabs of rock and plunged with a splash into the water, disappearing from view. Frank was saved! * * * * * It was an hour later when Merriwell, Browning and Hodge returned to the _White Wings_. With the exception of a slight hoarseness, Frank could speak as well as ever, although his throat was sore and lame. The boys had not returned to the yacht till they were certain the hunchback and the cock-eyed man had left the island, for the lap-streak boat was seen bound up the bay under full sail. Browning was fierce for revenge. Merriwell did not say much, but deep down in his heart he was determined to punish the ruffians who had so nearly ended his existence. He cautioned the boys not to let the girls or Miss Gale know anything of the adventures on the island. "We will land them at Green's Landing," he said, "and then I am coming back to this island. The mystery of this place is not yet solved. Why are those two men trying to frighten everybody away from here? I want to know that, and I mean to know it." On reaching the yacht Jack Diamond was found paying every attention to Paula Benjamin, and it was plain that there was no longer a misunderstanding between them. The Virginian shot Browning a glance of triumph, in which was also a warning. But Bruce scarce gave Jack or Paula a thought, for other matters were on his mind then. He was eager and anxious to get rid of the girls and their chaperon in order that the party might return to Devil Island and seek to solve the deep mystery of the place and punish the wretches who had tried to end Frank's life. CHAPTER XXI. SETTLING A POINT. "Now, fellows," said Frank Merriwell, as he faced his four "shipmates" in the cabin of his yacht, _White Wings_, which was riding at anchor in the harbor at Green's Landing, "I have called you together for a council of war."