Two officers hastened to take part, but not an arrest did they make, for in the surge of the crowd the attacking roughs got away.
“A-haw! a-haw! a-haw!” laughed the jay pitcher. “Why, this is a reg’ler hot old time! Ain’t seen so much excitement sence I pitched for Slabtown agin’ Bugville. Thankee very kindly, gents, fer the nifty way in which ye walked right up an’ took my part. Now, we’ll continner the game, without further interruptions, I hope.”
Hank Dowling had slipped away, but he took care not to return to his former seat. In the rear of the crowd he was joined by Bates, who said:
“I tried to get in, but I wasn’t quick enough, Hank. The chap has some friends.”
“Devil take him!” grated Dowling. “He nearly twisted my arm off! Why, he has the strength of Sandow!”
“And he came out of it without a scratch!”
“Yes. He’s a fool, but——”
“He’s a mystery. I don’t believe he’s the fool he looks.”
“But he wouldn’t throw the game for two hundred! What does he care about the game? What difference does it make to him who wins? I say he’s a fool!”