partner reached the
room, Jimmy went away with Mike. They crossed the bridge in the cars,
Mike generously paying the fares, and, once on the Brooklyn side, Mike
led the way to a trolley. They rode for some time, and finally Jimmy
exclaimed:

"I thought you said it was only a little ways. We're out in the
country now."

"We're most there," declared Mike quickly. "It's only a few minutes
now," and he began to talk rapidly, telling Jimmy a number of stories
of New York life, and so keeping his companion interested to that
extent that Jimmy did not notice how far they had come.

"We'll git out here," said Mike, at length.

"Say, this is the country for fair," exclaimed Jimmy, as he found
himself in the midst of open fields with only a few houses here and
there. "This feller must want to get a good ways off from his work."

"He does. It's jest a short walk now."

It was getting dusk and Jimmy was beginning to think Dick would get
tired of waiting for him. He began to wish he had left some word, or
else that he had not gone with Mike. The latter led the way across the
fields, toward a house.

"Look out!" suddenly exclaimed Jimmy's companion. The boy turned his
head, and the next instant he felt one of Mike's arms encircle his
neck, while with the other hand Mike held Jimmy's wrists in a firm
grip. Then, before Jimmy knew what was happening, Mike took his arm
from his neck and plunged that hand into Jimmy's pocket where the
newsboy kept his money. He was robbing Jimmy.

"Here! Let up! Quit that! Police!" cried the smaller boy, struggling
to free himself. But Mike was too strong for him, and, in that lonely
place, there were no officers. It was growing quite dark and no help
was in sight.

Suddenly Mike withdrew his hand from Jimmy's pocket, bringing out with
it all the money. Then, giving the smaller lad a push that sent him
stumbling to the ground, Mike turned and ran away, making for the
distant trolley line.

"Now youse kin walk home, Bricks!" he called. "Youse'll git dere by
t'-morror mornin'."

"Give me back my money!" shouted Jimmy, scrambling to his feet.

Mike, with a mocking laugh, raced on. He was too swift a runner for
Jimmy, but the smaller boy pluckily kept after him. Mike had a good
lead, and a little later he reached the trolley line and jumped aboard
a passing car, which soon took him out of sight.

"Well, if that ain't a mean trick!" exclaimed Jimmy, pausing when he
saw it