Bob took hold of her shoulders and Hugh grasped her ankles. She was heavy and absolutely limp so that it was very difficult to lift her from the ground. The two boys exerted all their strength, however, and presently were able to start on their way back to Mr. Cook's office, panting and straining as they went. The distance was not great, fortunately, and soon they opened the door of the office and deposited their burden on the floor. "Why," gasped Bob, starting back in surprise. "It's Lena." "What?" demanded Hugh. "It certainly is. Look at the blood on her shoulder." "Is she dead?" "I don't know." He took hold of Lena's wrist and felt for her pulse. "Her heart is still beating," he announced a moment later. "Hadn't we better get a doctor?" "I should say so," exclaimed Bob. "Call up Doctor Clarke and tell him to come down here just as fast as he can." Hugh hastened to obey, while Bob secured a towel soaked in water and began to bathe the wounded woman's face. How had it all happened? Perhaps one of the factory guards had surprised her at some criminal work and had shot her as she fled. Bob did not know enough to understand whether she was badly wounded or not; at any rate she was still bleeding profusely. Presently Hugh reported that the doctor would be down just as quickly as he could. He had promised to start at once. "What shall we do?" inquired Hugh. "Don't you think we ought to stay here with Lena?" "I don't see that we can do anything for her, and we may be needed outside. Where's Heinie? Why don't we leave her with him?" "Where _is_ Heinie anyway?" exclaimed Bob. He hurried to the door of the adjoining room, but there was no trace of the missing chauffeur. "He's gone, I guess," said Hugh. "When every one rushed out in the excitement he must have slipped away. We'll never see him again." "How stupid of us," cried Bob. "Every one clean forgot him, I guess." "His escape doesn't settle what we have to do," said Hugh. "Let's go out and leave her here, I say. We don't know anything to do for her. Anyway you told the doctor where to come, didn't you?" "I did." "Come on then," and Bob hurried out, with Hugh following close behind. In front of the office they stopped for a moment, peering intently all about them and straining their ears for every sound. Bob remembered the big hickory stick of his father's and stepped inside again to get it. "We're taking chances prowling around here unarmed," said Hugh when his friend had joined him once more. "I know it, but what can we do?" "Nothing, I guess. Where do you suppose the others are?" "Let's go find them." Again they started in the direction of the river, not in a mad rush this time, but slowly and carefully picking their way. They skulked along in the shadow of the factory walls, ready for any emergency that might arise. They kept close together and if the truth were known both boys would have been very glad to have had an armed companion with them.