The chums started after the wild man and the money-lender’s son. The way was along the road, but presently the wild man turned into a stretch of woods. He could run like a trained athlete, and easily outdistanced Nat, who kept calling after him.
When Dave and Roger came up they found the money-lender’s son leaning against a tree, out of breath and much disgusted.
“Couldn’t get him, eh?” queried Roger.
“No, you fellows scared him off,” growled the money-lender’s son.
“I am sorry if we did that,” said Dave.
“You had no right to butt in,” grumbled Nat. “What did you follow me for, anyway?” 202
“Because we thought you were after the wild man, that’s why,” answered Roger.
“Humph!”
“So he is your Uncle Wilbur,” went on our hero, after a pause, and he turned a look of sympathy at Nat as he spoke.
“Who told you that?”