"I don't need one. I feel much better now. That water did the business. So I fainted? That's queer. I never did such a girl's trick before. Guess he must have given me a harder whack than I thought at first." He put his hand to his head, bringing the palm away covered with blood.
"It's only a cut, I guess," volunteered Frank. "We'll wash it for you, and then——"
"If you give me a good drink of water I can walk back to the school," said Billy. "I'm all right now."
He was much stronger, as was proved by his voice, and the manner in which he stepped about. Andy got more water, and the cut was bathed. Then, after a copious drink, Billy announced that he was almost himself again.
"All but for a bad headache," he added. "But I don't mind that, as long as the fellow didn't get anything."
"And are you sure he wasn't a highwayman?" asked Frank.
"Yes, I am, though I didn't see him, as he came up back of me. He must have been following. I've been expecting this, but not so soon. If he had gotten it, he wouldn't have been much better off, for I've got to get the other signatures. I guess I'll——"
Billy did not finish. He seemed to be talking to himself, and, as he did not offer to take the Racer boys into his confidence, they did not feel like asking questions. But Frank could not help mentioning one thing.
As Billy stood there, his hand in the inner pocket of his vest, as if to make sure that something of value was not missing, the elder Racer lad said:
"I believe we passed the man who attacked you."