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.