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John Mitchell, returning to his residence on Boston Avenue one evening, saw that he was being followed by several men, and started off on a run.
It was quite dark, but Mitchell could see the men plainly every time they came to a street lamp.
He started to run.
They did the same.
At last he came to the steps of his own residence.
Then the toughs seemed to understand that they were likely to lose their prey, and one of them darted forward and dealt him a stunning blow on the side of the head.
When Mitchell fell, he went through the door of his home, and landed in the hallway.
He was partially stunned, but grappled with his assailant.
The struggle which followed attracted the attention of two men who resided in the family.