“Let me over!” I cried. “I am after a thief!”
“No, you don’t, young fellow!” was the grim reply. “That is an old dodge.”
And the bridge-keeper continued to allow the bridge to swing around.
For an instant I paused in perplexity. What was to be done? If I waited until the bridge was again in position, Mr. Norton would surely escape me.
“I’ll venture it,” I muttered.
And stepping back, I rushed forward and cleared the distance from the partly open draw to the opposite shore at a bound.
“Hi! hi! none of that!” cried the keeper in alarm; but I paid no heed.
Mr. Norton looked back to see what I would do. He was no doubt quite dismayed to see me take the jump.
I raised the cry of “Stop, thief!” but it did no good, and made Mr. Norton run faster than ever.