“By Jupiter! I’ll believe anything now!” cried the policeman. “Tell me about it.”
While they were telling him, several citizens from the neighboring houses come out and surrounded them. One, a timid, nervous man, substantiated their statements, shamefacedly acknowledging that he had rushed out immediately after the first shot, and had witnessed the encounter between the lads and their assailants.
“I didn’t feel like dipping in,” he said, “so I jest stood back and looked on. It was the hottest fight I ever witnessed. By Jove, these young fellers did put up a fearful scrap! There was four against them, and I don’t know but more than that. I saw four myself. I tried to holler ‘murder’ when one of the masked men got this young feller down and lifted a knife to stab him. Couldn’t seem to make a sound. Then I saw the other chap grab up a pistol and shoot. The fellow with the knife gave a howl and then jumped to his feet. I could see blood running off his hand when he held it up in the light. When he took to his heels, the fellow with the pistol banged away at him, but he kept on running. I’m ready to swear to every word of this statement.”
The policeman now sought to obtain a description of the holdup men from the boys. Of course, this description was vague and unsatisfactory, as the masks of the ruffians had prevented Dick and Brad from seeing their faces.
The citizens crowded around the two lads and insisted on shaking hands with them and congratulating them over their nerve and success in beating off the holdup men.
“If you don’t mind, young gentlemen,” said the policeman, now addressing them with the greatest respect, “I’d like to have you come to the station and tell the sergeant all about it. This is my beat, but I was down at the other end when I heard the shooting. I came as soon as I could. I think we’ll take this along as a bit of evidence.”
He displayed the human finger, which he now held partly wrapped in a handkerchief. The timid citizen who had witnessed the encounter gave his name and address, stating that he was willing to tell what he knew of the affair at any time.
It happened that there was a police reporter at the station house, and the morning papers contained a complete account of the attempted holdup, the courage of the boys being lavishly praised.
But, with the Manhattan College baseball game only one day away, Dick found himself with a very lame shoulder and an almost useless right arm.