"We didn't choose to," retorted Frank calmly. "We've found you after a good deal of trouble, and we intend to end this mystery now. A boy's life—the life of Paul Gale—hangs in the balance."
"As if I cared," sneered the man. "You have had your trouble for your pains. I shall tell you nothing, and I order you off this island."
"We're not going!" exclaimed Andy firmly. "This is a public place, and we have as much right here as you have. Besides, you haven't any cannon now, and we're two to one."
"Oh, you are; eh?" demanded the man in an ugly voice. "We'll see about that. Once more I order you to stop following me; do you hear?"
"We're not going to let you get away until you answer our questions!" declared Frank. "We demand to know what you are doing with Paul's boat, and we want to know what his full name is, so that we can communicate with his friends."
"You'll never know from me!" fairly shouted the man. "And I defy you to get anything out of me. I'm not going to be bothered with you. Come on, men, here are these two bothersome boys! Let's get rid of them!" he suddenly cried, waving his hand as if at someone approaching Andy and Frank from the rear.
Involuntarily they turned, but the next instant they heard a triumphant laugh, and when they turned back, having seen no one, they beheld the mysterious man racing across the sands toward the interior of the island.
"Quick! After him!" cried Frank.
"Yes, we mustn't let him get away again!" added his brother.
They set off after the stranger at full speed. He was running rapidly, now and then glancing over his shoulder at them.