"No, don't!" cried Billy. "He's a dangerous man. Don't go near him if you can help it. He would as soon strike you down as look at you. Let him go. I can get on his trail later."
"Yes, don't go," put in Frank. "You could never find him in the darkness, and, besides, it might not be safe. And we've got to help Billy back."
"Oh, I might manage to go the distance," said the Western lad, with a wan smile; "but I'd rather have you with me. I can find that man later, if I want to. But I hope he leaves this neighborhood. I'm not safe while he's around."
"Then why don't you complain to the police and have him locked up?" asked Frank.
"It would do no good. That wouldn't stop their work. You don't understand, and I can't explain much, but I'll say this," and Billy, leaning heavily on Frank's arm, continued:
"My uncle is a wealthy ranch owner out West, and he has many business ventures. Now one of them is likely to fall through because of the activities of certain men, of whom the fellow who attacked me to-night is one. But he failed. You see, I'm helping my uncle—negotiating the Eastern end of a big deal for him, while I'm here at school. That's one of the reasons why I came East. This is all I can tell you now.
"I can't thank you enough for helping me, and, later, I may be able to tell you more details. It's a queer story, and there is quite a mystery to it. Some of it I don't even know myself. But it sure is lucky that you found me."
"We're glad we did," put in Andy. "Now let's get on to school, or we'll be locked out."
As they started off, one of the Racer boys on either side of Billy, Frank suddenly exclaimed:
"Hark! I think someone is following us!"