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!"

"If you try it, by the Lord Harry! I'll fill you full of lead!" came
hoarsely from Hodge, who was fingering the gun in his hands as if he
longed to shoot Cooler anyhow.

"Ah, me!" sighed the little man. "How rude you are, young gentlemen! Is
it possible you are in your right minds?--or have I fallen in with a lot
of lunatics? Why, I wouldn't run for anything! It's not necessary to
threaten me. I wish you would tell me what I have done to arouse your
ire."

"Where is Frank Merriwell?"

"Hey?"

"Where is he?" snarled Diamond, showing his white teeth. "Don't lie,
man! Don't try it! If you do we will put you where you will lure no
other person into a trap!"

"Goodness me!" said M