“Gracious! What can have happened to the poor child?” she gasped as she ran toward him.
As soon as he saw Florence the newsboy began explaining between sobs, “Oh, señorita, two men—stole—your car! I try to stop them—and one of them—knock me down.”
“Oh, that is terrible!” Florence cried, at the same time scrutinizing his wounds. “Not deep, but painful,” she decided before going on to question him about the appearance of the men.
Brokenly, the boy began describing the man who had hit him. “He had a scar—on his chin—and one eye squinted—an evil eye.”
“That sounds like the taller one of the smugglers,” Florence decided immediately. “Was he the taller one of the two men?” she asked.
“Sí. I try to keep them—from stealing your car, but——” The boy stopped talking to sob afresh.
“I’m sure you tried,” Florence comforted him. “Here is some money.” She handed him some coins and then a clean handkerchief, adding, “Wipe the blood with this.”
A tall professional-looking man stepped up just then and remarked, “I will look after the boy.”
With a “Muchas gracias” and an “Adios” to the boy, Florence hurried back to Jo Ann and Peggy, who were standing near by, still wondering what had happened.