"Let me see," said Frank. "He didn't take your watch, and here's your purse. Why, this is singular! I wonder if he saw Lizette. I wonder if she uttered a cry and frightened him away."
"Let's find the whelp!" snarled Hodge.
"First let's find out how badly Carson is hurt. Let's get him into the house."
Together they lifted Berlin and assisted him to the house between them.
Inza was calling from the head of the stairs to know what was the matter.
"Lie to her, Merry," said Hodge. "Don't let her get excited. Wait, I'll do the lying. I'll quiet her and Elsie."
He hastened up the stairs.
Carson sat on a chair and felt of his head with both hands.
Frank struck a light, and he examined to see how badly his friend was injured.
"Here's a bad bump," he said; "but I don't believe your scalp is broken. Looks as if you'd been struck by a sandbag."