"The lady wins!" Dick announced coolly, though he was shaking somewhat from excitement. "You let go of her and her property."
But Dexter, his face black with scowls, still clutched tightly with his right hand at the little handbag, to which Mrs. Dexter was clinging with both her hands.
"You let go of that bag," challenged Dick, "or six of us will sail into you. I think we can handle you. We'll try, anyway."
"Yes; make him let go," begged Mrs. Dexter. "I have money and jewels here, and he is trying to take them away from me."
"Going to do as the lady wishes?" inquired Dick, stepping closer.
Abner Dexter shot another angry glare at the sextette of Grammar School boys. They were closing in around him, and it looked as though they meant business.
The man who had been standing a short distance away now ran up to the spot.
"Hullo, what do you want!" asked Dick coolly. "Are you the understudy in this game of robbery?"
"I'm an officer," retorted the fellow sharply.