"Here they come again!" said Innis, fiercely. "Back to back, fellows, and we can stand 'em off!"
Now that the first instinctive fear at the attack in the dark had passed off, the three youths felt a fierce joy in the coming conflict. It was like a battle on the football gridiron, only with greater odds.
Dick, Paul and Innis moved close together, being free for the moment from their assailants. Then from down the road could be heard the sound of footsteps running rapidly. The men paused, listened a moment, and then the one who had attacked Dick exclaimed:
"Come on. He hasn't it with him!"
At once the three men turned and raced off in the darkness, away from the sound of the approaching footsteps. For a moment the three chums remained in a sort of triangular posture of defense, hardly knowing what it was all about, since it had taken place so quickly.
"Are—are we all here?" Dick finally managed to gasp.
"It seems so," replied Paul. "What happened, anyhow? Was it a joke?"
"My nose doesn't feel that way," said Innis.
"No, and I guess I gave one of those fellows something that he'll remember for a day or so," went on Paul. "But what in the world were they after?"
"Something that I left back in the auto," replied Dick, grimly.