"Stop, you thief!" yelled the boy, and made after him. Left to himself, Mike also got up and limped away, his nose bleeding, and suffering from a bruised rib, where Robert had stepped upon him.
"Dat boy is a reg'lar lion," he murmured. "We was fools ter tackle him."
Pat ran as he had never ran before, and coming to an alleyway, darted to the lower end and hid behind some empty barrels.
Robert ran past and then Pat came out again.
"Only a dollar," he said to himself, as he sized up his dishonest haul. "Well, wid that five I'm ter git fer de check it will be six. Dat aint bad."
Pat was no particular friend to Mike, and speedily resolved to keep the haul for himself.
"I'll tell Mike I didn't git no check and dat dere was only twenty cents in de pocket," he reasoned. He was willing to allow Mike ten cents for his share in the work, and no more.
The roughs had agreed to meet Hammerditch on a certain corner, and to this spot Pat made his way with all possible speed.
"Come in out of sight!" said the rough, and motioned the way to a nearby saloon. He was afraid Mike would come up before the transfer of the check could be made.
They went inside and ordered some drinks, and then Pat turned the baggage check over to the Englishman, and received the five dollars reward.