But the falls had a strange charm for Dorothy, and after lunch she wandered there all alone, just to see, to think and to be quiet.  Other attractions had now claimed the attention of her companions, and she sat there, enjoying the falls alone.

She could scarcely hear a voice through the woods, so loudly did the falls splash and splatter.

Who, in her place, could have heard a man stealing up to that very spot?  Who could know a scoundrel was there, at that moment ready to seize Dorothy?

A rough hand clutched her slender arm!

That man—­Anderson—­was glaring into her eyes!  Dorothy screamed shrilly.

“Hush!” commanded the man, “or I’ll throw you over the falls!” and his hand was upon Dorothy’s throat, preventing further outcry.

“Tell me,” he growled, “did Miles Burlock leave his money with your father?”

Poor Dorothy felt as if the world had gone, and all the woes of death were upon her!

Looking about him hastily the man loosed his hold on her throat for an answer, but instead another shrill scream rent the air.

“You little fool!” he muttered, “do you want me to throw you over?”

But at that moment an answer came—­Ralph Willoby bounded through the grove and had Dorothy in his arms before she could realize he was there!  Then with a look of baffled rage the man disappeared.

“Ralph!” whispered Dorothy.

“You are all right now,” the young man assured her, putting his arm firmly around the trembling girl, “if you feel faint I can carry you.  Do not try to walk.”

The noise of the falls was gone now—­the sky was all black.

“Oh,” gasped Dorothy, “I can’t hear, or see, I am—­”

It was welcome oblivion, however painful that clutch at her heart.

She could not remember—­was it Ralph, or the squire?

She had been thinking how brave Ralph was—­But now she could not think, it was all dark night!

CHAPTER XIX

A SURPRISE TRIP

When Ralph Willoby carried his senseless burden to the platform, where, so short a time before, the girl had been as merry as any of her playmates, Squire Travers determined upon one thing—­to form a searching party of all the boys to scour the woods from tree to stump and if possible run down the villain who had attacked Dorothy.

The fainting girl was soon revived by the careful ministrations of Miss Ellis, assisted by pupils following her directions; and, before the half-conscious girl realized what had happened to her, the boys were running through the woods, led by the squire and Ralph, bent on finding Anderson.

But such reflections were of little use now that the harm was done.  Dorothy was very weak indeed.  She felt as if those sinuous fingers were still about her throat, and she could see those terrible eyes peering into hers in spite of all her efforts to forget her awful experience.