Swish! thump! bump!
A dark body came out of the shadows and struck the policeman with the force of a catapult.
The officer was hurled through the air, his hold on Harry being broken. He struck the stone paving heavily.
A hand fastened on Rattleton's collar, a strong arm jerked him to his feet, a familiar voice hissed in his ear:
"Run!"
It was Merriwell! Harry's heart leaped as he realized that. Frank had not deserted him. Frank never deserted a friend.
Rattleton was somewhat dazed, but Merriwell's hand directed him, and away they sped. They heard the policeman behind them, heard him shout breathlessly for them to stop, but they had no thought of obeying.
Into a narrow space between two buildings plunged Frank, telling Harry to follow. Merriwell came to a gate, but he seemed to see it, for all of the intense darkness.
"Over here!" he called to Harry.
They heard the policeman plunge in behind them. Over the gate they scrambled, not daring to pause long enough to find the way it was fastened. Out into a back yard they dashed, hearing the officer run into the gate and grunt as he was flung backward.