“Come on! Let’s get out of here. First thing you know we’ll be getting crazy ourselves. This place isn’t safe!”
He hurried on through the woods and the others followed.
“What do you make of it?” asked Ned.
“Why, it’s plain enough,” spoke Frank. “The old man we met first is crazy, and this one is his keeper. He’s brought him out here into the woods to cure him, and he probably has to humor him by pretending to be a king. That’s all there is to it. I’ve often read of such cases.”
“Seems to me you’re fond of reading about lunatics,” said Bart.
“I am. I read all I can on such cases. It is very fascinating.”
“Excuse me,” broke in Ned. “I’d rather have something cheerful.”
“Oh, but you have no idea what strange fancies some of the unfortunates have,” said Frank earnestly. In his eyes there glowed a strange light, and his chums, looking at him, felt he had more than ever that queer air of mystery about him.
“Well, we’d better be moving faster than this or we’ll be held up again by the King of Paprica’s guard,” spoke Ned. “I think you’re wrong about it, Frank.”
“How do you mean?”