They walked up the street and around a corner, and Dick followed, scattering bits of an old letter as he went along. When the letter was used up, he tore to bits some handbills which he found in the street. Eight squares were covered before Dan Baxter and Bradner reached a dingy looking hotel which went by the name of Lakeman's Rest. It was set in the middle of the block, with brick houses on either side of it. They entered a narrow hallway, and by the light above the door Dick saw them ascend the stairs to the second floor. There now seemed nothing to do but to await Tom's return, and the youth retired to the opposite side of the street. It was late--after midnight, in fact--and the street was practically deserted. A half hour went by and Dick felt as if his brother would never return, when he heard swift footsteps behind him. "So this is your game, eh?" cried the voice of Bradner, and of a sudden a club descended upon Dick's head and he went down as if shot. The man had looked out of the hotel window and spotted Dick, and had gone out by a back way add around the square to make certain of his victim. "That was a good crack," came from Dan Baxter. "It serves him right for following you." Bradner was about to bend over his victim to ascertain how badly Dick was hurt when the footsteps of two men approaching made him draw back. "Come, we don't want to be caught," whispered Dan Baxter nervously. And then, as the footsteps came closer, he darted away, with Henry Bradner at his heels. They did not stop until a long distance away from the scene of the dastardly attack. The men who were approaching were a couple of bakers who were employed in a neighboring bakery. "Vas ist dis!" cried one of them, as he stumbled over Dick's body. "A young mans!" "He is drunk, Carl," said the other. "Let him be or you may get into trouble." "Maype he vos hurt, or sick," said the German baker, bending down. "I vos know der cop on dis beat and he knows I vos no footpad." Just then Dick gave a shiver and a groan, and both bakers realized that he was suffering in some way. While the German remained by the boy's side the other ran to the bakery for a lantern and assistance. Soon a small crowd had collected, and Dick was carried into the bakery and made as comfortable as the means permitted. One of the bakers went on a hunt for a policeman, and presently the officer of the law hove into sight. Dick was just coming to his senses, but was too dazed for several minutes to give an account of what had happened. At last he said a man had struck him down with a club. "Were you robbed?" asked the policeman. Dick felt in his various pockets. "No, sir." "You were lucky." "I dink ve scare der rascal avay," said the German baker. "More than likely. It's a pity you didn't collar him." The policeman turned to Dick. "Shall I call up an ambulance?"