But it was too late to stop the blow entirely.
A slungshot in the man’s hand slipped from it and struck Snell a glancing blow on the head.
“Ah!” he cried, and staggered.
Patsy dashed to assist him, and caught hold of him in time to prevent him from falling against an iron fence, which probably would have broken his head.
The would-be murderer was dashing down the street.
Patsy could not be in two places at once.
He wanted to chase the unknown criminal, but his first business was with Snell.
This was not only because Nick had sent him out to shadow Snell, but because the man seemed to be badly injured.
He was groaning and trembling so that he would have fallen if the detective had not held him up.
“Better sit down a minute,” Patsy suggested, “and let me see if there’s anything serious the matter.”