"Yes," said Clark, "but why? It's nonsense to say that he didn't start out on your trip fixed up to put you out of business if he could do it. It is folly, too, to think that he didn't know that this Billy Bouncer, relative of that old-time enemy of yours back at Stanley Junction, Jim Evans, had put this gang up to beat you. If that wasn't so, why has he been hanging around here all the morning in a suspicious, mysterious way, and how does he come to swoop down on the mob just in the nick of time."
"Perhaps he was planning to head off the crowd all the time," suggested Ralph.
"Not from the very start," declared Clark positively. "No, sir—I think he has had a fit of remorse, and thought better of having you banged up or crippled."
"At all events, Fogg has proven a good friend in need, and I shall not forget it soon," observed Ralph.
When they came out into the street the hoodlum crowd had dispersed. They entered the first tailor shop they came to and soon had their clothing mended up.
"There's a moving picture show open," said Clark, after they had again proceeded on their way. "Let's put in a half-hour or so watching the slides."
