There was a sound of the hoofs of horses. Down
the street from the station end there appeared two mounted men.
Without a second moment's hesitation the two rascals dropped
their friend Bauer with a thud on the ground; one ran at his full
speed across the street, the other bolted no less quickly up the
Konigstrasse. Neither could afford to meet the constables; and
who could say what story this red-haired gentleman might tell,
ay, or what powers he might command?
But, in truth, Rudolf gave no thought to either his story or his
powers. If he were caught, the best he could hope would be to lie
in the lockup while Rupert played his game unmolested. The device
that he had employed against the amazed ruffians could be used
against lawful authority only as a last and desperate resort.
While he could run, run he would. In an instant he also took to
his heels, following the fellow who had darted up the
Konigstrasse. But before he had gone very far, coming to a
narrow turning, he shot down it; then he paused for a moment to
listen.
The patrol had seen the sudden dispersal of the group, and,
struck with natural suspicion, quickened pace. A few minutes
brought them where Bauer was.
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