him. At any rate he presently allowed one of the two bundles he carried to drop to the ground.
"Whoop! he's caving! We're going to get him!" shouted Lanky.
Perhaps he wanted the other to hear what he said, so as to discourage him still more. The man ran a little better after relieving himself of a part of his load, but the boys put on an extra spurt themselves, so that his gain was only for a moment.
"Faster, fellows! Scatter out and head him off! The police will get him if he keeps on that way! Go it, you tigers! A little more ginger and he's ours!"
It was Frank now who shouted. His object was to still further alarm the rascal, and make him suspect that those who were searching for him must be close at hand.
"There! he's dropped the other bunch of plunder!" cried Ralph.
"And is running like a scared rabbit, too! See him cut it, will you? Say, Frank, I'm nearly all in, and that fellow is fresh; do we chase him till we drop?" exclaimed Lanky, who was staggering as he ran.
By this time they had arrived at the second and larger bundle of clothes.
"Hold up here; no use trying to get him," said Frank, as he stopped running.
