“It’s a spy!” came a shout, and then an oath.
Ding-dong’s activities returned with a rush. Like a jack rabbit he darted off, running as he had never run before. Behind him came shouts:
“It’s one of those kids! Get him! Get him if you have to shoot him! Don’t let him get away!”
Ding-dong’s fear lent him wings. As he fled, he heartily wished he had informed the police and let them attend to the case. But it was too late for such wishes now. All at once his foot caught in a root and he fell headlong. He was up in a second, but in that brief fraction of time his pursuers had gained on him.
Bang! A report sounded behind him and a bullet whistled somewhere near his head.
“Gracious, pretty close shooting, considering they’re on the run!” thought the boy.
Panting and desperate, he pressed on, while behind him still came the rapid beat of feet. Then came another sound that caused his terror to redouble. It was the sharp rattle of a horse’s hoofs coming forward at top speed! Ahead of the boy lay the sea. He could go no further.
“Gracious! It’s all over now!” he thought, when suddenly the earth appeared to drop out from under his feet and he felt himself falling, clutching frantically at the air, through space. Above him somewhere, heard dimly as if in a dream, came shouts and hoarse cries mingled with the trampling of hoofs.
Ding-dong gave a desperate shout, and it was still on his lips when he struck something solid but soft and yielding.