over a dozen epistles.

There was a wild scramble, and the letters were quickly distributed.

"Oh, good! Here's a letter from dear dad!" exclaimed Belle. "Excuse me
while I read it," and she quickly tore open the communication.

All of the girls had letters, and there was also one for Dave and
another for Phil. As our hero looked at the communication addressed to
him, he could not help but start. He thought he recognized the
handwriting as that of Link Merwell.

"I wonder what he has got to say now," he mused, and then as the others
began reading their letters, he opened the envelope and took out the
single sheet it contained.

In a large, heavy hand were scrawled these words:

"I think before long you will be getting what is coming to
you, you poorhouse nobody."

There was no signature.

CHAPTER XVII

THE SWIMMING RACE

Dave read the brief communication over several times. As he did so his
face showed both perplexity and anger. Roger, who had received no letter
and who therefore had nothing to read, looked at him curiously.

"No bad news, I hope?" he said, as he came up to Dave.

"I think it's another communication from that good-for-nothing Link
Merwell," returned Dave. "Here, you can read it for yourself," and he
passed the letter over.

The senator's son read the scrawl, and his face showed his disgust.

"I guess you're right, Dave, it must be from Link Merwell."

"Link Merwell!" broke in Shadow, who sat on a bench near by. "What about
that rascal; have you heard something further of him?"

"Oh, it doesn't amount to anything," returned Dave, hastily, and taking
the communication he thrust it into his pocket. "Don't say anything
about it," he added to Roger, in a low tone.

"All right, I won't if you want it that way," answered his chum. "Just
the same, Dave, this looks to me as if Link was plotting once more to do
you an injury."

"If so, Roger, would he be fool enough to notify me beforehand?" queried
our hero, as the pair walked a little distance away from the others.

"There is no telling what a fellow of Link's stamp might do. He is just
fool enough to brag about what he hoped to do rather than go and do it.
It's an outrage that he should call you a 'poorhouse nobody.'"

"I'd thrash him for it if I could get my hands on him," returned Dave,
quickly, and his face showed deep resentment. He had not forgotten how,
in years gone by, his enemies had taunted him with being a