Down he came, the parachute in his grasp.
The catch gave way and out shot the ribs of the parachute, and the young gymnast’s headlong flight to earth was stayed.
A cheer went up.
“He is safe!”
The crowd gathered around to where Leo had reached the earth, in the center of a field of grass.
“He was struck!”
“Is he badly hurt?”
The youth lay unconscious on the grass, his face as pale as a sheet.
A few thought him dead, and the report that he had been killed quickly circulated.
The police ran into the building in search of the rascal who had done the firing, but could not find their man.