N another moment the fleeing one had darted around the corner.
Five members of Dick & Co., angry all the way through, were the first to reach that corner.
"There he goes, down the alley-way to the livery stable!" roared Dave Darrin. "After him, fellows!"
But by the time that the five reached the stable yard the fugitive was out of sight. Men hurried up, and a quick search was made of the neighborhood. It was soon certain, however, that the fellow had made good use of his time and had gotten away. Two policemen who were among the latest arrivals on the scene gave it as their opinion that further chase would be worse than useless.
So Dick's chums turned back, to see how their leader had fared.
Dr. Bentley was leaning over the boy, who, white and lifeless, lay at the edge of the sidewalk.
"Take him to the drug store, doctor," urged one of the women.
"He'll revive quicker in the open air, madam," answered the physician.
"Is young Prescott very badly hurt?"
"I can't tell yet," said Dr. Bentley. "There doesn't seem to be any fracture of the bone at the point where he was struck. And the back of his head seems to be sound and whole. I think Master Dick is simply stunned."