Bradner was about to bend over his victim to ascertain how badly Dick was hurt when the footsteps of two men approaching made him draw back.
"Come, we don't want to be caught," whispered Dan Baxter nervously.
And then, as the footsteps came closer, he darted away, with Henry
Bradner at his heels. They did not stop until a long distance away
from the scene of the dastardly attack.
The men who were approaching were a couple of bakers who were employed in a neighboring bakery.
"Vas ist dis!" cried one of them, as he stumbled over Dick's body.
"A young mans!"
"He is drunk, Carl," said the other. "Let him be or you may get into trouble."
"Maype he vos hurt, or sick," said the German baker, bending down.
"I vos know der cop on dis beat and he knows I vos no footpad."
Just then Dick gave a shiver and a groan, and both bakers realized that he was suffering in some way. While the German remained by the boy's side the other ran to the bakery for a lantern and assistance.
Soon a small crowd had collected, and Dick was carried into the bakery and made as comfortable as the means permitted. One of the bakers went on a hunt for a policeman, and presently the officer of the law hove into sight. Dick was just coming to his senses, but was too dazed for several minutes to give an account of what had happened. At last he said a man had struck him down with a club.
"Were you robbed?" asked the policeman.
Dick felt in his various pockets.