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
carry