The man’s bloody lips moved and he sought to speak, but the husky sounds he uttered could not be understood.
“Durbin,” said Dick, “your pals have left you here to die. Did you aid them in capturing and carrying off Zenas Gunn?”
Another painful effort to speak resulted in nothing that could be understood.
“Tell me the truth,” urged Dick. “You can see how they deserted you. Why should you shield them? Did you carry off the old professor? Can’t you answer? If you would say yes, close your eyes and open them again.”
Slowly the wretch closed and opened his eyes.
“Where is he? Where have they taken him?”
It was impossible for Durbin to answer in words.
The boys lifted him and lay him on the cold ground by the roadside.
“I judge he’s mighty near gone, partner,” whispered Brad. “It’s bad we have to lose time like this. We ought to be doing something for the professor.”
“We can’t leave this man to die here alone like a dog, no matter how bad he has been.”