“I was coming to that. In the classroom he left his mark—a big circle, with a cross inside, in blue chalk.”
“And how do you know that is the mark of the wild man?” asked Laura.
“Oh, we found that out some time ago,” answered Shadow. “He seems to have a mania for blue chalk, and even puts it on his face sometimes, and he chalks down that circle with the cross wherever he goes.”
“Then, if he does that, why can’t they trail him down?” asked Dave.
“Because he is like a flea—when you try to put your hands on him he isn’t there,” answered Shadow. “And say, that puts me in mind of another story. Once three boys were––”
“That will do, Shadow!” cried Roger. “About the wild man is enough for the present.”
“Have they any idea who he is?” asked Dunston Porter.
“Not the slightest,” answered Buster. “And they don’t know where he keeps himself, although it must be in the woods near the school.”
“Oh, Dave, I hope he doesn’t harm anybody!” cried Jessie, with a shiver.
“Are you boys ready to go back to the Hall?” asked Dunston Porter. 46