A third time the man pointed his revolver at the motionless form of the man who lay huddled on the ground. This time no one of the group interfered; all stood back, and the younger man, who had twice saved Scotch's life, turned away, plainly unwilling to witness the deed. "He's going to shoot!" panted Frank, pulling forward his rifle, and bringing it to his shoulder. "I will----" "Wait a bit, me b'y. Look there! Th' litthle girrul is thrying to save him." "God bless her!" Miskel had rushed into the midst of the men, and she was seen pleading with the man who seemed determined to kill the professor. At first, it seemed that she would fail, but she finally prevailed, and the man put up his weapon, with a gesture of angry impatience. Then he seemed to give some orders, and the unconscious captive was lifted and carried toward the camp. "He is saved for the time," breathed Frank, with relief; "but it is simply a respite." "Thot is betther than nothing, me b'y." "Yes, it is better than nothing. Barney, I have a scheme." "Spake out, Frankie. Me ears are woide open to-night." "If they spare Professor Scotch till to-night, we will go down there and attempt his rescue." "Oi'm wid yes, me b'y, to th' ind." They watched the men bear the unfortunate professor into the camp, and noted carefully the building into which the man was taken. "We must make no mistake to-night, Barney. It is our duty to do our best to save Professor Scotch." "An' we'll do our duty av we nivver do anything ilse, begorra!" "You are bold lads," said a voice behind them; "but you cannot save him from Uric Dugan." They whirled swiftly, and found Old Solitary had come up behind them, without being heard. "I found you had awakened," said the strange man; "and I wondered if you had come here." "And we wondered where you had gone." "I went forth to see what I should see," he said, in a peculiar manner. "Voices far away in empty space were calling to me--calling, calling, calling!" The boys shot hasty glances at each other, the same thought flitting through the minds of both. They had dealt with one maniac, and now was it possible that they were to encounter another? It had been dark when Old Solitary came upon them the night before, and so they were unable to study his face; but now they saw that his eyes were restless and filled with a shifting light, while his general appearance was that of a man deranged. Quickly leaning toward Barney, Frank whispered: "He must be humored; don't anger him." The man, although he could not have heard the words, noted that something was said, and he cried: "Why do you whisper together. Would you betray me? Is there no one in the wide world I can trust?" "Betray you?" said Frank. "To whom can we betray you? You have us in your power, and you can betray us to the Danites, if you choose. You need not fear that we shall betray you."