And Bangs was trying to make his escape in the same way he had come. He jumped from the window to the neighboring rooftop and started for the edge of the roof.
Matt and Dick, however, were upon him before he could get over the roof's edge and drop to the ground.
Bangs fought fiercely, clawing and growling, like a wild animal. His eyes were wild, he was bareheaded and his hair was tumbled over his forehead.
"The man's crazy," said Matt.
"Is it drink did it?" asked Dick. "Has he been topping the boom too much?"
"No, it wasn't drink; it's something else. Let's get him back to Rigolette's and see if he's able to give us any information."
Getting the squirming Bangs back to the creole's was not an easy matter. However, Rigolette dropped the pieces of rope lying in the room where Carl had been confined, from the window, and the boys made their captive's wrists and ankles secure; then they heaved Bangs upward, and the creole caught him by the shoulders and dragged him through the opening.
"He ees wild," chattered Rigolette; "ever'body ees wild. I was wild myself."
"I say, Bangs!" called Dick, kneeling beside the prisoner and shaking him. "What's the matter with you?"
Bangs mumbled incoherently and stared fiercely.