“Officer, release that boy!” said the sandy-haired man sternly.
“I’ll take you along, too, if you interfere.”
“Release that boy!” repeated the other sternly; “and arrest the German for assault and battery. I charge him with assaulting this boy!”
“Who are you?” demanded the officer insolently.
“My name is ——, and I am one of the new police commissioners,” said the sandy-haired man quietly.
Never was there a quicker change from insolence to fawning.
“Oh, I beg your pardon, sir,” said the officer, instantly releasing Joe. “I didn’t know you.”
“Nor your duty, either, it appears,” said the commissioner sternly. “Without one word of inquiry into the circumstances, you were about to arrest this boy. A pretty minister of justice you are!”
“Shall I take this man along, sir?” asked the policeman, quite subdued.
At this suggestion the bulky Teuton hurried into his shop, trembling with alarm. With great difficulty he concealed himself under the counter.