The victim seemed cowed into silence, for he ceased his whimpering. As the highwayman drove him out of the way of pedestrians, their footsteps could be heard on the pavement.
“Run, pal! The bobbies is comin’.”
This cry of warning came from Artie and was intended evidently for the hold-up man. The ruse was successful, for, with an oath, the footpad dashed away, his rapidly pattering shoes on the pavement giving evidence of his panic.
“That’s the way to handle a case o’ that kind, an’ you don’t get into trouble,” said Artie wisely.
“We’ll be held up next,” warned Guy, as they continued on their way, leaving the “miser” to take care of himself.
“Not much chance,” was the clerk’s reply. “They don’t stop two together, especially boys who ain’t supposed to carry a lot o’ money anyway.”
But Artie’s confidence proved unwarranted. After the boys had proceeded two blocks farther, a man suddenly stepped up and covered them with a pistol, commanding gruffly:
“Quick, now, out in the street! I’ll shoot if you make a sound.”
CHAPTER V
Highwayman No. 2 and Mr. Smithers
There was nothing for Guy and Artie to do but obey. The highwayman spoke and acted as if he meant business. He flashed a strong pocket electric light, illuminating the fog around them. The muzzle of the pistol had an ominous appearance, and the better part of valor seemed to be caution. The fellow was of medium height and build, and his voice was one of the strangest Guy had ever heard. Later Artie described it as a “combination of a squeak and a roar.” At first Guy believed this footpad to be the one whom Artie had frightened a few minutes before, but the difference in their voices convinced him otherwise.