ncle Lester," answered Phil, and thereupon gave a few
of the details concerning the land which the rival railroads wished to
purchase from the uncle and Phil's father.

"That certainly is splendid news!" declared Lester Lawrence, his eyes
lighting up. "What a wonderful change the last hour has brought! Before
you came I thought I was doomed to live here, unknown and alone, for
perhaps the rest of my life."

"But how have you managed to live?" asked Dave, curiously.

"Oh, that has been easy. You see, when I left home I had quite a little
money that belonged to me. I buy necessary provisions down in one of the
towns, and also do some hunting and fishing. This cabin belongs to the
daughter of an old hunter who lived here for years, and as she did not
wish to occupy it she let me have it at a very reasonable rental."

"Do you know anything of that wild man who is in this vicinity?" queried
Roger.

At this direct question Lester Lawrence dropped his eyes and showed much
confusion.

"I am afraid I do," he answered, shamefacedly. "The fact of the matter
is, it was I who played the wild man, dressing myself up in some old
outfits that were left in this cabin by those who used to live here."

"But what was your purpose?" questioned Luke.

"I wanted to scare the folks in this vicinity, so they would not come
near this cabin. I was afraid if too many people came to this
neighborhood, sooner or later somebody might recognize me and inform the
authorities."

"You nearly scared the ladies and girls in our bungalows to death," said
Ben, bluntly.

"I am very sorry for it, now," was the reply. "But you see, what Phil
has told me has put an entirely different face on the matter. I looked
at all strangers as enemies. I was very bitter against everybody."

"Well, I guess you had a right to feel bitter, Uncle Lester," returned
Phil, who could realize how his relative had suffered. "But it's all
past now, and you must give up your life here and come home with me."

"I am willing to go home, now that I know my name is cleared," answered
Lester Lawrence. "But I can't travel just yet," he added, ruefully,
looking down at his bandaged foot.

"What is the trouble?" questioned Dave, kindly.

"I sprained my ankle the day I followed one of you boys--that is, I
suppose it was one of your crowd. I mean the chap who fell over the
cliff."

"Link Merwell!" ejaculated Phil. "He is no friend of ours, he is an
enemy. By the way, Uncle Les