r was he inclined to think that anything had occurred.
He suggested that Dick had gone out to take a walk, but Jimmy felt that
something had happened.

He went out into the street, hardly knowing what to do, but trying to
make up his mind to some plan of action. He saw Sam Schmidt, and, more
because he could think of no one else to appeal to than because he
hoped for news, he asked:

"Seen Dick this evenin', Dutchy?"

"Sure, dot's vot I has," was the unexpected answer.

"You have? Where?"

"Him und Bulldog Smouder vent off over towards de Bowery a while ago.
Und dey vos in a hurry-up I d'inks, for dey vos valkin' fast."

"Where does Bulldog live?"

Sam gave the required information.

"Will you come with me, Dutchy?" asked Jimmy eagerly.

"Vere to?"

Jimmy rapidly explained and expressed his belief that Bulldog had
enticed Dick away somewhere, though what his object could be he could
hardly guess.

"Sure, I goes mit youse," declared the German newsboy. "Ve lick dot
Bulldogs feller, dot's vot ve does."

"I guess we can manage him between us," said Jimmy, as he and Sam
started off to rescue Dick.

CHAPTER XX

DICK IS ILL

When Dick saw that he had been fooled by Bulldog and was in the power
of the bully, his first thought was one of fear. For Dick was not a
very strong lad and was unused to physical violence. So, when the big
lad shook his fist in his face and appeared ready to strike him Dick
shrank back.

"Aw, I t'ought I'd skeer youse," remarked Bulldog in surly tones. "Now
youse had better tell me a straight story."

"What do you mean?" asked Dick.

"Aw, youse know what I means. Youse has run away from home an' ye're
only chuckin' a bluff about bein' a newsboy. Now I want t' know where
youse lives, so's I kin take youse home an' git der reward."

"If I knew where I lived and who my folks were, I would only be too
glad to tell you," answered Dick earnestly. "I would go home myself,
without waiting for any one to take me."

"None of dat. Dat's too thin!" exclaimed Bulldog. "Youse has got t'
tell me or I'll punch yer head."

"I can't tell you."

"Well, den here goes fer a punch," and again the big boy raised his big
fist.

"I'll call a policeman," said Dick, who knew he was no match for the
bully.

"Go ahead. We lick cops down dis way. No perliceman ever comes in
here when he hears a row. He knows it ain't healthy fer him, 'less
he's got a patrol wagon full of cops wi