"What you listenin' to? That don't go in Red Top!"
And dropping his dishes, he leaped for Bob, just as the men behind the partition, who had heard the waiter's angry words, struggled to get through the door.
Realizing he was no match for so many, Bob took to his heels, the others in pursuit.
As he dashed from the restaurant, Chester leaped to his feet and, back bristling, jaws distended, faced the pursuers.
"That's Ford's dog!" gasped the waiter. "That fellow must have been one of his men!"
The commotion had attracted the attention of the loungers in the store and as they hurried to the street, the conspirators, pointing to Bob, yelled:
"Stop him! Stop him!"
But Bob, paying no heed, raced to where Firefly stood, vaulted into his saddle and, with the dog at his heels, dashed up the street.