By this time Jeduthun had produced a light from somewhere. Tom was secured, and the party entered the mill. The office was examined first, and then Mr. Antis went up to Eben's room.
"He is not here," called he from the top of the stairs. "What can have become of him?"
At that moment Jeduthun discovered the trail of blood on the floor. Uttering an exclamation of horror, he followed it up till he found Eben lying on the pile of oats, senseless and apparently dead.
[CHAPTER XII.]
JEDUTHUN IS GROSSLY CARELESS.
WHEN Eben at last recovered his consciousness, he was lying on his own bed in the mill, with his mother and Jeduthun attending him. He felt very weak and confused, and almost thought he must be dreaming, till he heard Jeduthun say, emphatically, "Praise the Lord! He's coming to himself." Then he roused himself a little more, and drank the contents of the glass which his mother held to his lips.
"What has happened?" said he, faintly. "Oh, I remember now. Did they get the money?"
"No!" replied Jeduthun. "Everything is safe but yourself. Ah! Take care! Don't move!" For Eben had uttered a sharp cry of pain.
"Oh, my knee!" he exclaimed.
"There! Keep still as you can," said Jeduthun. "We've stopped the blood, and Barton has gone over to the Springs for the doctor, but you mustn't move till he comes. If the blood starts again, you are done for."