"Yes, as much as you. We are both animals, only differently built. You can live on vegetables, but I must have meat and plenty of it, and not cooked too well, either." "Well, all this leads to nothing; but I should like to ask you a question, Burke, and if you are wise, you will answer it frankly," Uncle Job responded. "You can ask as many as you like, and I will do as I think best about answering them, Mr. Throckmorton," the other replied, with a soft purr in his voice, as if speaking to a comrade. "What I want to know is, who told you I was to pass this way to-night, if, indeed, any one told you?" "Well, really, I should like to oblige you, but you will have to excuse me," Burke answered, looking at Uncle Job as if it pained him beyond expression to refuse his request. "Then you refuse to tell?" Uncle Job replied, disappointment clearly showing in his voice. "Thank you, yes; I can’t, really. And now may I ask you a question in return?" Burke answered. "Yes, but I will not promise to answer you," Uncle Job replied, shortly. "Of course not, Mr. Throckmorton, of course not. It is nothing of importance, anyway." "Well, what is it, Burke?" "It is this, if you don’t mind. Who told you I was waiting by the roadside for you?" "I don’t know that there is any harm in telling you, but I guess I had better not," Uncle Job replied, glancing at me. "Perhaps it was the same person who told you I was coming this way. Who knows? I will make a bargain with you, though, Burke, if you have a mind. Answer my question and I will answer yours." To this Burke made no reply, shutting his mouth as if it concealed a secret of the greatest value to him. "Very well; we will say no more about it," Uncle Job continued. "Now, Gilbert, if you will look after him, I will see if I can do anything for Blott." And going into the cabin, he got down on his knees and commenced to work over the fallen man as before. "His heart flutters and there is life in him, if I only knew how to get at it, but that is just where I fail," he exclaimed at last, rising to his feet. "We must have a doctor, Gilbert, and quickly, if he is to be saved." "A doctor!" I answered. "Yes; and to get him we must go to Appletop." "Blott will surely die before he could reach here," I answered. "Perhaps not, if you were to go without loss of time," Uncle Job replied, looking at me inquiringly. "I’ll not go," I answered, shortly, determined not to leave him alone with Burke. "Why not? No harm can come to you, and I am as safe here as in bed. Besides, it may save Blott’s life. You are not strong enough, though, to stand the ride, I am afraid," he added, scanning my face. "I’m all right, but I wouldn’t know where to go," I answered.