or the next day at the latest. But, meantime, we, as his friends, will probably have to act, and act quick and hard, to protect him.
"I've found out that certain crooked interests are going to try and cheat him out of his franchise. They planned to keep the car from running tomorrow, which, as you know, means the forfeiting of Pop's franchise. To make sure the car goes out, I got Jane Dillon's permission to take charge of it myself. But I don't believe I'm going to be able to run it without a fight. I have a hunch this same gang of thugs will be down here tomorrow in full force to try and take me off the car. I can't say for sure and I'm not in the position yet to appeal to the police. Besides, I believe we people of De Lacey Street can settle this thing in our own way.
"We all like Pop and we'll fight for him. You're a ted-blooded bunch of men and you've still got plenty of pep in you to offer a battle. If that gang of gunmen comes down here tomorrow and attacks me and the car, will you help me? That's all I want to know!"
Immediately the smoky air was full of exclamations of surprise and defiance and a multitude of questions, Speedy tried to answer them as best he could. They did not doubt for a moment what he told them. The previous assault of Pop and the air of menace that had seemed to hang over the street during the past few days confirmed his words. Many of them had seen Carter and had disliked him on sight.
"Sure we'll fight!" roared the husky Walters.
