"I'll kill ye for that!" he yelled, and picked up a heavy hammer that lay on the floor.
Pete was between Carl and the open end of the shed; he was likewise between Carl and Matt and Brady. The struggle had carried Pete and the Dutch boy down toward the middle of the balloon house.
Matt, out of the tails of his eyes, saw the dangerous position in which Pete's temper was placing Carl. The young motorist had been successfully fending off the attempt of Brady to get into his coat pocket; now, thinking Carl might need him, he undertook more aggressive measures.
An empty box, which had evidently been used as a seat, stood just within the big door. With a sudden lurch, Matt heaved himself against Brady and knocked him backward over the box.
As Brady felt himself falling, the instinct to save himself caused him to let go of Matt. The instant the young motorist found himself with the free use of his fists, he let drive at Brady and still further helped him over the box.
With a roar of anger, Brady doubled up on the floor. Matt whirled and darted for Pete, reaching that scoundrel just in time to catch the arm that was whirling the heavy hammer.
The hammer was wrenched away, and Matt cast it against the wall of the balloon house.
"Cut for it, Carl!" cried Matt. "Run for the road!"
"You bed my life!" wheezed Carl. "Dis blace don'd vas gedding fery comfordable."
Brady was picking himself up from the floor as the boys rushed past with Pete in hot pursuit.