The Grammar School Boys Snowbound | Page 9

the other side."
"What's the matter with the man, doctor?" cried several.
"Really, ladies, I can't tell until I've had a chance to examine the man. It
may be a fit of some sort. I think likely it is. But we will get him to the
drug store first, and into the back room. Then I can examine the poor
chap comfortably."
Though seemingly "out of his head," the sufferer succeeded in throwing
his arms about a great deal.
Then, suddenly, Dick, who had been following and watching with
wide-open eyes, called out lustily:
"Dr. Bentley, your overcoat is open, your chain is hanging with no
watch on it, and your scarf pin is gone!"
That announcement electrified the situation. Dr. Bentley glanced down
swiftly, then threw one hand up to his necktie.
"My purse is gone from my chatelaine!" cried one of the women who
had been helping.
"My purse is gone, too!"
It was amazing to see how quickly the sufferer from the fit galvanized
into action. He straightened up suddenly, gave himself a violent wrench
and shook himself free of those who had sought to aid him.
With a bound the fellow was off and away. As he sprang he spat from
his mouth the piece of soap that had supplied the foam to his lips.
"Catch him, fellows!" yelled Dick.

But only Tom and young Prescott were near enough to the path of
flight. Tom Reade leaped valiantly in, but was shoved off and sent
spinning by one of the burly fists of the rough.
It was up to Dick to make the catch.
Dick had his skates, strapped together, swinging from his right wrist.
He swung the skates back to strike at the fugitive. Ere he could do it the
man drove a big, hammer-like fist straight between Dick Prescott's eyes
in a way that sent that boy down like a log.
The impact of that blow was heard by all.
CHAPTER III
THE CAMPAIGN TO COAX PARENTS
In another moment the fleeing one had darted around the corner.
Five members of Dick & Co., angry all the way through, were the first
to reach that corner.
"There he goes, down the alley-way to the livery stable!" roared Dave
Darrin. "After him, fellows!"
But by the time that the five reached the stable yard the fugitive was
out of sight. Men hurried up, and a quick search was made of the
neighborhood. It was soon certain, however, that the fellow had made
good use of his time and had gotten away. Two policemen who were
among the latest arrivals on the scene gave it as their opinion that
further chase would be worse than useless.
So Dick's chums turned back, to see how their leader had fared.
Dr. Bentley was leaning over the boy, who, white and lifeless, lay at
the edge of the sidewalk.
"Take him to the drug store, doctor," urged one of the women.

"He'll revive quicker in the open air, madam," answered the physician.
"Is young Prescott very badly hurt?"
"I can't tell yet," said Dr. Bentley. "There doesn't seem to be any
fracture of the bone at the point where he was struck. And the back of
his head seems to be sound and whole. I think Master Dick is simply
stunned."
Dr. Bentley stepped over to his auto, took out a drug case and selected
a vial from it.
"Get me a glass of water, someone, and promptly," he directed.
The water was quickly brought. After pouring a few drops from the vial
into it, the medical man supported Dick's head and poured some of the
stuff into his mouth.
After a short time Dick opened his eyes.
"Wh-what kicked me?" he asked slowly.
"The fist of that gentleman with soap-made fits," replied the physician
dryly. "Take a few deep breaths, Prescott. Now, a little more from the
glass. Breathe hard again. There, do you feel as though you'd like to get
on your feet?"
"Certainly," Dick replied.
Dr. Bentley helped him to his feet, supporting him and urging him to
try to walk a little. At about this time Dave and the others returned at a
trot.
"Dick, I guess you saved some of us from losing more in the way of
valuables," smiled the medical man grimly. "For one, I'm ashamed of
myself. A man who has been practising medicine more than twenty
years should know too much to be taken in by sham fits on the part of a
thief who plays his trick in order to rob a crowd of Christmas
shoppers."

"You think he meant to rob us, then, doctor?" pressed a woman in the
crowd.
"That fellow certainly did mean to do it," replied Dr. Bentley with
emphasis. "It's an old trick in a crowd--this sort