Dave Porter and the Runaways Part 50

"He spoke about the blowing up of the hotel," said Dave. "And he said somebody saw him do it."

"Who was it?"

"He didn't mention any names."

"Maybe he was simply wandering in his mind," suggested Ben.

"I don't think so," returned Dave. "I think, if he was questioned long enough, we could get the truth out of him. He doesn't seem to be crazy all the time."

"It's a terrible thing for the Poole family--to have such a crazy man in it," was Buster's opinion; and the other lads agreed with him.

The prisoner was marched along the brook, past the home of old Herick, and then down the river-road. By this time all the searchers had come together, including Henry Morrison and some outsiders.

"I'm mighty glad you've got him," said the farmer. "And I hope he don't get away from you."

"He won't get away," answered Mr. Dale.

"The women of this district have been afraid to go out alone," went on Henry Morrison. "They'll be glad to know he's been captured."

"We'll have to let the Pooles know right away," said Dave.

"I fancy Doctor Clay will send a telegram," answered Mr. Dale. "And in the meanwhile we'll have to take the prisoner to the Oakdale lockup."

It was nearly noon when the crowd reached Oak Hall. The wild man had but little to say. His capture had evidently broken his spirit, and he was inclined to cry. But when Doctor Clay asked him if he would like to have something to eat, he brightened up wonderfully.

"It is a sad case," said the master of the Hall. "But under proper treatment I think he can be cured."

The news quickly circulated throughout the school that the wild man had been caught and that he was Wilbur Poole, an uncle to Nat, and all the boys were anxious to catch a sight of the strange individual. The teachers and servants were likewise curious, and looked at him as he ate his dinner in a corner of the dining-hall, surrounded by those who had captured him and who were watching, to see that he did not get away. He was not allowed to use a knife and fork, but his food was cut up for him and served with a spoon.

The only person at Oak Hall who did not come in to see the wild man was Job Haskers. When asked about this, the dictatorial teacher shrugged his shoulders.

"Some of the boys are wild enough for me," he said. "I want nothing to do with the insane."

"It is a sad case," said the teacher who was addressing Job Haskers.

"There are many just as bad," responded the other, coldly. "It is up to the Poole family to look after that man and see that he doesn't break out again."

It was decided to take the wild man down to Oakdale in the school carryall, to be driven by Horsehair. Mr. Dale was to go along, and so were Phil, Dave, Ben, Buster, and Doctor Clay.

The carryall was brought around to the side entrance of the school, and Wilbur Poole was told that he was about to take a ride through the country. He walked through the hallway willingly enough, but suddenly, on turning a corner, set up a shout.

"You! you! I have found you at last!" he cried, rushing forward. "You are the one who exposed me! Base soldier that you are! You have ruined the whole army!" And in a sudden fit of pa.s.sion he ran up to Job Haskers and caught him by the throat.

"Le--let g-g-go!" gasped the teacher, and tried to shake the man off.

Then the others ran up, and Wilbur Poole was dragged back and handcuffed.

"Do you know that man?" asked Dave, struck by a sudden idea.

"Yes! yes!" groaned the wild man. "He exposed me! The army is lost!"

"How did he expose you?"

"He saw me do it."

"Do what?"

"Blow up the fort-hotel. Oh, what a base villain he was to look on!"

groaned the wild man, and suddenly commenced to weep.

"What is--the--er--man talking about?" stammered Job Haskers, and all saw him turn pale.

"He says you saw him blow up Sparr's place," said Dave, pointedly.

"It is false, absurd!" said the teacher. "I--er--I never saw the rascal before."

"He isn't a rascal, Mr. Haskers. He is simply out of his mind,"

remonstrated Mr. Dale. "He is not accountable for his actions."

"Well, he ought not to say such things," returned the dictatorial teacher.

"You saw me--you know you did!" cried Wilbur Poole. "You spoiled everything! I might have blown up many forts if it hadn't been for you!" And he shook his head dolefully.

"Take him away," said the teacher, and turned his back on the wild man.

"Dave, I think the wild man speaks the truth!" whispered Phil to our hero.

"Possibly, Phil. I think the matter will bear investigation."

"And if old Haskers saw the thing done, why didn't he tell about it.

Do you think that letter--"

"It struck me that such might be the truth, Phil. But don't say anything until you are sure."

"He was down on us--ever since we mentioned that affair with the Widow Breen," went on the shipowner's son.

"I'd like to see that letter Jason Sparr got--saying we were guilty,"

returned our hero. "Maybe Doctor Clay can get hold of it."

All the way to Oakdale the boys spoke of the case in whispers. Phil was quite sure Job Haskers had seen Wilbur Poole blow up the hotel and equally sure that the dictatorial teacher had written the letter to the hotel-keeper stating he, Dave, and their chums were guilty.

"He thought we'd be locked up, or at least that we'd be sent away from the school and he would be rid of us," said Phil. "He is growing afraid of us! Oh, if we can prove that he did it, I'll make it hot for him!"

"If he did such a thing as that, he ought to be discharged from Oak Hall," was Ben's comment.

"I'll get my father to sue him for damages," put in Buster.

"Well, don't be hasty," advised Dave. "There may be some mistake--although I think not."

At Oakdale, Wilbur Poole was turned over to the authorities, who placed him in a comfortable room attached to the lockup. As it was known that he was insane, he could not be counted a criminal, and the majority of the people pitied him and hoped that some day he would be restored to his right mind.