"Yes, yes, I presume that is so," said Mrs. Gibbs, who was somewhat interested in slum work herself.
"He is an out and out fraud," said Robert, as firmly as ever. "Mrs. Gibbs, will you send Mary to call a policeman? I will be responsible for the arrest."
"But if there is a mistake——"
"Haven't I said that I will be responsible? I am not going to let him escape if I can help it."
At that moment the front door opened, to admit one of the lady boarders. Robert stepped back to let her pass, and as he did so Andy Cross wrenched himself free and leaped for the door.
"Stop!" cried Robert. "Stop!"
"Go to blazes!" snarled the sharper, and pulling the door back, he leaped out on the piazza.
Our hero's blood was up and he was determined that Cross should not escape him again.
He, too, leaped for the doorway, and as the sharper gained the piazza Robert put out his foot to trip him up.