He whirled around swiftly, only to see a shadowy figure leap from the end of the veranda and disappear into the darkness.
CHAPTER V.
THE STRUGGLE IN THE DARK.
Like a flash Dick was after him, but as he reached the edge of the veranda, he realized the futility of pursuing the would-be assailant. The fellow, whoever he was, evidently knew the ground thoroughly, and, handicapped as the Yale man was with his bandaged ankle, it would be a waste of time to try and catch him.
He walked slowly back into the light that streamed out through one of the windows, and slipped off his coat.
Just between the shoulders was a clean cut about twelve or fourteen inches long, evidently made by an extremely sharp instrument.
The Yale man gave a low whistle.
“That fellow was out for blood,” he murmured. “That’s about as close a call as I’ve ever had. I wonder——”
Putting his hand up to his back, he found that both shirt and undershirt had been cut through, though not so badly, and that there was a tiny cut in the skin just between the shoulder blades.
Thoughtfully he slipped into his coat again.