But when, after a minute or two spent in waiting, no car appeared, Joe started for the nearest thoroughfare, three short blocks away.
He was just passing the second corner when a man stepped out of the shadows with something in his hand.
“Hi, there, stop!”
“What do you want?” demanded Joe, trying to make out the face in the darkness.
“I want you!” hissed the man.
He took a step closer and raised the object he carried in his hand.
Joe tried to dodge, but it was too late.
There was a quick blow. Joe felt no sense of pain. Rather it was a gradual sinking, sinking, ten thousand fathoms deep!
Then the famous young baseball player became unconscious.