Page:Boys of Columbia High on the River.djvu/169

Rh Three times he slipped from under the extended hands of the men. They began to show signs of anger, and Frank felt considerable uneasiness about how they might treat him once they caught him again.

"Stand still, you fool!" called Martin, savagely at length.

Frank was thrilled to see that he had something shiny in his hand, for he suspected that it might be a pistol. Such desperate men as these robbers of jewelry stores would be very apt to go armed.

Of course after that there was nothing else to do but give in. He stopped and turned toward the men, trying to smile as he held out his hands.

"Tie them up again, if you want; only this time don't tempt me by leaving the loop loose," he said, lightly.

Joey struck him a smart blow on the shoulder that caused the boy to breathe hard and look daggers at him.

"That's a brave thing to do, isn't it? Two men against one boy, and even then you hit him when he can't answer back. I'd be willing to take chances with either of you, given a square show!" he said impetuously.

"Let up on that, Joey. The boy's right. Reckon we can handle him without knocking him that way. Got some more of that string handy? This time