"Listen," hissed the Phoenix, "run down there. Talk to him, lead him away, distract his attention, anything. Only be quick!" "All right!" The Phoenix melted into the thicket, and David jumped to his feet. As he dashed down the trail his brain whirled with questions. What should he do? What could he say? How could he lead the Scientist away? Where would the Phoenix go? In his haste he forgot one important thing. His foot tripped over the pile of grass and leaves on the trail. The released sapling sprang upward, the noose tightened with a cruel jerk around his ankle, and he was snatched into the air. As the blood rushed to his head he lost control of himself and began to struggle wildly and shout at the top of his voice. The flat dry voice of the Scientist drifted to him as if through a long tunnel. "What's all this? What are you doing here? Who set this snare?" "Get me down," David choked. "Please!" A hand seized him by the scruff of the neck. A knife flashed through the air and cut the rope. David landed on his feet, but his legs gave way and he dropped to his knees. He felt dizzy as the blood rushed away from his head again. The Scientist tilted his sun helmet back and said, "Well, well--David," in a disagreeable tone. His eyes narrowed behind the spectacles. "What is this snare doing here?" David struggled to his feet and clutched a bush for support. "Thank you for cutting me down," he said. The cold blue eyes found David's and held them in a hypnotic stare. "What is this trap doing here? Who set it?" "I--I was coming down the trail and--and--I was caught in it," David stammered. "You are avoiding my question, young man," said the Scientist. "Who--set--this--snare? Answer me!" There was a brilliant flash of gold and blue in the sunlight, the whistle of feathers cleaving the air, the sharp _thwock!_ of fisted talons striking. The Scientist pitched forward with a surprised grunt and lay still across the trail--and the Phoenix, executing a flip in the air to check its speed, settled down beside David. "View halloo!" it shouted excitedly. "Yoicks and Tallyho! Did you see that stoop, my boy? By Jove, the best-trained falcon could not have done better! Believe me, I have been saving that blow for a long time! By Jove, what a magnificent stoop! I think I shall take up Scientist-hunting as a regular thing!" "Thank goodness, Phoenix!" David exclaimed. "Another minute and you would've been too late! But I hope you haven't--hurt him very much." "Nonsense, my boy," said the Phoenix. "A head so stuffed with scientific fact cannot be injured. He will come to in a short while." The Phoenix lifted the Scientist's sun helmet and examined the back of his head. "A large lump is developing, my boy. A most pleasant sight! I fear the sun helmet is now useless--crushed like an eggshell." And the Phoenix smiled proudly. [Illustration] "Well, I hope it isn't serious," David said doubtfully. "Anyway, we'll have to do something."