I did my best to get away, but it was useless. Mr. Norton was thoroughly aroused, and his muscles were like iron. Drawing back his hand, he hit me between the eyes, and before I could recover he caught up a rope and bound me hand and foot. CHAPTER XVIII. A MOMENT OF EXCITEMENT. “Now we’ll see who is master here!” cried Mr. Norton, after he had succeeded in rendering me powerless. “What do you intend to do?” I asked in alarm. “Never mind; you will find out quick enough, never fear.” Saying this, Mr. Norton dragged me into the mill, and up the stairs into the grain-bin. “Now stay there until you free yourself,” he said harshly. “And remember that I am not to be overcome by a boy like you.” “You are a villain,” was all I could say in return. “Perhaps so; but I won’t have you talking to me like that,” he returned. And raising his heavy boot, he gave me a kick in the side that caused me to cry out with pain. “Now good-by to you,” he went on. “You will never see me again.” “I trust I never shall,” I replied bitterly. In a moment he was gone and I was left to my own reflections. I heard him tramp around down-stairs for several minutes, and then all became silent. No sooner had he left me than I began to tug at the ropes that bound me. But Mr. Norton had done his work well, and at the end of five minutes I found myself as secure as ever. I was lying flat on my back, and found it impossible to rise. For a while I thought to raise my voice, and did so several times, but then ceased under the impression that no one was within hearing distance. A rat came out of his hole and scrambled over my legs. This startled me, and I raised quite a racket which made him disappear in a hurry. Ten minutes passed, and all was as silent as before. Would I have to lie there until morning, or longer, and leave the three robbers to escape? It seemed more than likely. Presently I thought I heard a sound at the door of the lower mill room. I listened intently and was sure I was not mistaken. “Help! help!” I cried at the top of my lungs. The sound stopped, and I repeated my calls. “Who is that?” cried a voice. “It is I, Reuben Stone.” “Where are you?” “Up in the grain-bin.” “Are you alone?” was asked; and now I recognized Ford’s tones. “Yes, Dan; come up and untie me.” At once there was a tramping on the stairs, and then Ford appeared, carrying one of the mill lanterns. “Why, Reuben, who put you here?” he exclaimed, as he bent down and freed me. “Mr. Norton.” “Your uncle? Why I thought he had sneaked away to Hillsburg.” “So does everybody else,” I returned, as I jumped to my feet. “But he was here less than half an hour ago with those other two thieves.” “You don’t tell me! Where have they gone?” “They have a boat up in the cove above. They are going to some point on the lake.” “Phew! Lucky I came along.” “Yes, Dan, lucky for me. What brought you?”