"No, it wasn't that," came the answer. "My watch and money are safe."
"Then what did the rascal want?" asked Frank, as he thought of the man who had passed him and his brother a short time before they discovered Billy. "If it wasn't your valuables, what did the footpad want, Billy?"
"He wasn't a footpad, and he—he——"
Billy's voice trailed off weakly. The lad swayed on his feet, put his hands to his head, and with a moan sank back. He would have fallen to the ground, only that Frank, who had been expecting something like this, caught him just in time.
"He's worse hurt than he thought," exclaimed Andy.
"Guess you're right," admitted Frank. "We'll have to have help. If there was only some water near here——"
"There is. I know where there's a spring," interrupted his brother. "I'll bring some."
He dashed off, to return presently with his cap full. Some of the fluid was sprinkled on the pale face of the unconscious lad, on whose forehead there was a deep gash. Then Frank managed to get a few drops from his cupped hand between Billy's lips.
"I—I guess I'll be all right now," murmured the injured one. "Did I—did I faint?"
"That's what," answered Frank, as Billy struggled to a sitting position. "Now take it easy. We can get a carriage and take you to a doctor."