Phil's face now showed
worriment. "I do hope my uncle hasn't lost his mind!"

"Well, he might do that because of his troubles," was Shadow's comment.
"It was trouble that affected Wilbur Poole, if you'll remember."

During the course of this conversation, the boys had withdrawn to the
shelter of some trees and brushwood. In the meantime the man with the
bucket of water had disappeared within the cabin.

"I noticed he limped considerably," remarked Dave.

"Yes, and he had his left foot bound up," announced Luke. "More than
likely he hurt it in some way."

"It would be an easy matter for somebody to hurt his foot if he cut up
like that fellow who nearly scared the girls and Link Merwell to death,"
remarked Ben.

"I am going to the cabin and see what he has to say for himself,"
declared Phil, resolutely starting forward.

"If you go we had better go with you," announced Dave. "But be careful,
Phil. If that man is out of his head he may be dangerous."

"I don't think my Uncle Lester would hurt me even if he was out of his
mind," answered the shipowner's son, as he moved toward the cabin,
followed closely by the others.

The boys were still a hundred feet or more away from the habitation when
the man reappeared at the doorway. On catching sight of the newcomers he
uttered a sudden cry of dismay, and then disappeared like a flash,
banging the cabin door shut behind him.

"Evidently he's not very sociable," remarked Luke, dryly. "I guess he
doesn't want any visitors."

Advancing to the door, Phil knocked loudly.

"Go away from here! I don't want to see any of you!" cried a heavy voice
from within. "Go away, I tell you!"

"Open the door, please. I want to speak with you," answered Phil, as
calmly as he could.

"I won't talk to you! I don't want any one around this place!" came
angrily from within the cabin. "Go away, or I'll shoot!"

"Say, I don't like this!" cried Shadow, in a low voice. "I guess we had
better get out," and he started to retreat, followed by Luke and Ben.
Phil, however, stood his ground, and not to desert their chum, Dave and
Roger did the same.

"We are not going to molest you," called out Phil, after several seconds
of silence. "All I want to do is to talk to you."

"I won't talk to anybody, I tell you! Go away! If you don't I'll use a
shotgun on you!" returned the man in the cabin.

"Aren't you Mr. Lester Lawrence?" demanded Phil.

"What's that?" And now the voice of the man showed s