CHAPTER XXVIII 

THE CAPTURE OF THE WILD MAN 

"Now then, you may go to work," said our hero, as he saw Mr. Dale come up close behind the wild man. "But sharpen the scissors first, please." 

"I will," was Wilbur Poole's answer, and he opened up the shears and commenced to stroke them back and forth on a rock near by. 

An instant later the wild man was jerked over backwards and the dangerous shears were snatched from his grasp. He commenced to struggle, but the whole crowd surrounded him, and before he could realize the situation his hands were made fast. 

"It is treachery, base treachery!" he groaned. "My army has betrayed me!" And he commenced to weep. 

"What a terrible state of mind to be in!" murmured Roger. "He is certainly as crazy as they make 'em!" 

"I guess you are right," answered Phil. "But I am glad we have got him." 

"He spoke about the blowing up of the hotel," said Dave. "And he said somebody saw him do it." 

"Who was it?" 

"He didn't mention any names." 

"Maybe he was simply 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. 
Who talked next?
 Roger