Dandy Sam was fleet of foot and was gaining on his pursuer, when he came face to face with Ben Mayberry, who was hurrying toward the scene of the burglary with a view of seeing how it terminated.
The two encountered where the lamp-light showed the face of each. Ben knew the scamp on the instant, from the description given him, and the sight of the flying rascal told him the truth.
Ben had his pistol in his pocket, but he could not bear the thought of shooting a person, especially when there was a possible doubt of the necessity.
Ben compromised matters by darting into the road, where he caught up a stone weighing fully a pound.
The chief was some distance away shouting “Stop thief!” and firing his pistol over his head, so there could be no doubt that Dandy Sam was “wanted.”
Ben Mayberry stood about as far from the fugitive as the space between first and second base—thirty yards—when the stone left his hand like a thunderbolt. As before, it sped true to its aim, but struck higher than then, sending the scoundrel forward on his face, and stunning him; only for a minute or so, but this was sufficient.
While he was in the act of climbing to his feet again, the chief dropped upon him; there was a click, and Dandy Sam was at the end of his career of crime, at least for a considerable time to come.
The chief started for the station-house with his man, whom he watched closely despite the stunning blow he had received.
A few minutes later the other three officers came in with their prisoners, who were caught in the very act of committing burglary.
The aid was absent so long that the chief felt uneasy, and started out in quest of him, but at that moment he appeared with his man.