But under Dorothy’s insistence Tavia finished her breakfast in a very short time, and after Dorothy had paid the check the two girls left the place and turned in the direction of Haskell’s store.
Half way down the block it loomed before them, a charred and gutted ruin. Dorothy uttered an exclamation and grasped Tavia’s arm.
From the wrecked store a skulking figure emerged, turned, and, at sight of Dorothy and Tavia, darted down the street.
“Jack Popella!” gasped Dorothy. “What is he doing here?”
CHAPTER V
CAPTURED
“Gracious goodness, what ails the child!”
The exclamation was Tavia’s, for at sight of the young Italian Dorothy had left her side with startling abruptness. Now as Tavia gaped, open-mouthed, she saw Dorothy overtake the boy and put out a hand as though to stop him.
What was her surprise to see Jack Popella make another of his quick dodges, evading Dorothy’s outstretched hand and dart across the street.
There were two automobiles approaching from opposite directions, but this fact served to stop neither Popella nor his pursuer. Tavia screamed, for it looked as though both the reckless ones would be instantly killed.
“Dorothy, stop! Come back! Have you lost your mind?” she shrieked, and herself started in pursuit.