though he were trying to run away from the sound. Every one was staring at him in amazement. The giggles and guffaws of the crowd became louder. The shouts of the small boys were more insistent.
Across Con Riley's mind flitted certain phrases of Chet Morton. "Your time will come. . . . You're the only man who can wake this city up. . . . We shall see that your qualities of leadership are recognized . . ."
With a mutter of wrath he flung the tinkling package into the nearest alley. A uniformed street cleaner who was just emerging from the alley received the package full in the chest and sat down very suddenly. He flung the package back at Riley. The crowd whooped with glee. The package fell into the street, the bell still ringing, and one of the small boys picked it up and ran after Riley, asking if he wanted it back.
Thus he was pursued to the police station until the bell of the alarm clock ceased to ring, and only then did the crowd scatter.
Mopping his brow, flushed with anger, Riley took refuge in the station and vowed vengeance in the future on all the boys in Bayport, particularly high school boys, most especially Chet Morton's gang, and most absolutely and positively Chet Morton himself.
As for that worthy, in company with his
