“I was a fool!” he said. “If I had sworn out a warrant for the wretch and set an officer on his track, this would not have happened. I am to blame! Oh, but I will avenge my friend! I am aroused at last!” Too late! It seemed that the evening breeze whispered the words in his ear. But the criminal must not escape. At that moment several persons, attracted by the sounds of the conflict, came hurrying to the spot. They found Frank endeavoring to arouse Bart. To their questions Merriwell replied by telling them just what had happened and who were responsible. “Why, it can’t be Walter Wallace who had anything to do with this!” exclaimed a Belfast man. “He was concerned,” declared Merriwell; “but he is not the one most guilty. I do not fancy he knew one of his companions had murder in his heart. Find Parker Flynn. He is the one who must suffer for this!” Then he described Flynn, and some of the men hastened away to give the alarm and attempt to apprehend the perpetrator of the deed. Hodge was lifted and carried into the cottage. There did not seem to be a cut upon his head, but there was a contusion. “A doctor must be summoned at once!” said Merriwell, who was becoming more and more alarmed. “Perhaps Dr. Mann is somewhere on the ground. He comes down often. Send somebody to the hotel to look for him.” But Dr. Mann was not on the ground. He had not come down from the city. Every effort was being made to restore Bart, but he lay in a heavy stupor, although he was breathing and his heart could be felt fluttering irregularly. Some of the wheelmen heard what had happened, and came to the cottage. Harold Dustan was on hand, and he said he would send a fast rider to the city for a doctor. This was done, but the doctor was out making a call, which caused some delay, as another one had to be summoned, and it was not easy to find one who wished to ride to Northport that night. Till the physician arrived Frank Merriwell hovered over his friend. Diamond came, took one look at Hodge, and then plunged out of the cottage, muttering an oath of vengeance as he went. Frank knew the Virginian had gone to aid in the search for Flynn. Neither Wallace nor Woodock could be found on the ground. They had appeared in breathless haste at the hotel and taken their wheels out. No one knew whither they had gone, but it was plain they had taken flight, overcome with terror. The doctor examined Hodge, and set about doing everything possible to bring the unfortunate lad out of the stupor. “How badly is he hurt, doctor?” asked Frank, anxiously. “I do not know yet,” was the physician’s candid confession. “He should have come round before this. His skull may be fractured, but I do not think so.” “If not, why does he remain in this stupor?” “Perhaps his brain was injured by the shock. It is possible there is a blood clot forming on his brain.” “If so——” “We will hope it is not so.”