Before either Dan or Brad could recover from astonishment, a man leaped lightly to the ground. Seeing the two boys, he ducked his head and ran toward the alley.
CHAPTER 13
Hot Biscuits
“Gosh, a thief!” cried Brad, the first to recover from shock. “He’s been rifling Mr. Merrimac’s place!”
With one accord, he and Dan gave chase to the intruder.
From the start it was a losing race. The man already had put a considerable distance between himself and the Merrimac house.
Long-legged and surprisingly agile for his weight, he continued to gain on Dan and Brad.
Finally, he slipped between two buildings and was completely lost. Winded, the boys halted to consider what next to do.
“Not a chance to catch him now,” Brad puffed. “Let’s call the police, and then go back to Merrimac’s place. He may have slugged that old man.”
“Brad, didn’t you think that fellow looked like the tramp we saw out near the marsh?”
“Well, he had the same general build, Dan. I didn’t see his face.”