Upon reaching the schoolroom he snatched up his bag and fled from the house.
He jumped over the back garden wall, gained the meadow beyond, and made for a wood which was at no very great distance.
In endeavouring to reach this he ran into the arms of a policeman.
“Unhand me, fellow,” he ejaculated. “If you don’t it will be the worse for you. Leave go, I say.”
“You are my prisoner,” said the constable.
“Prisoner be hanged! What for? I haven’t done anything. Nobody has charged me. You are exceeding your duty.”
“And I will, I’ll take my chance of that.”
Peace made a desperate effort to slip from the constable’s grasp, and a struggle ensued, in which both fell.
But the officer, who was bent upon doing his duty, still retained hold of the robber, who kicked and fought like a madman.
He was unable to draw out his revolver; had he been able to do so the chances were that he would have shot the policeman without pity or remorse. He managed to regain his feet to be again thrown down by the constable, who placed his knee on his chest and endeavoured to slip on the handcuffs.