Then the news pulsed swiftly through the senior crowd. The noise
hadn't come from pistols. Dick & Co. had shut off any possibility
of automobile flight by falling upon the tires with their pocket
knives. Any robbers that could bluff their way through the crowd
and start the engine would have to hobble along on flat tires!
The rear lookout of the robber band was now a safe prisoner in
the hands of four stalwart seniors. Ben Badger had the fellow's
revolver.
Out in front of the bank the juniors and sophs held the enemy
at bay inside. The lookout, after trying to hold up the rush
at the point of the pistol, had turned without firing, and had
tried to get away. But four of the juniors had sprinted after
him and caught him.
Thus the forces stood. Inside the bank building were at least
two of the robbers, armed and presumably desperate. Yet they
knew they couldn't shoot their way out through a multitude, either
at the front or the back of the building.
On the other hand, the High School boys didn't care about rushing
into a darkness that was held by armed men.
Thus the opposing sides stood holding each other at bay until
new actors came upon the scene---the police reserves.
Four officers ran to the front of the bank. Chief Coy and four
more appeared in the lane among the High School boys.
"Now, young gentlemen, jump out, if you please!" rang the chief's
order, "We've got to get inside at those fellows, and there may
be a good many bullets flying.
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