ich, he thought, would lead to the street.

Leaving his lariat dangling, he made a dash for the alley and soon
found himself in front of the tenement house, where he had so recently
been a prisoner.

Up the stairs he went on the jump, and, as he came near the room where
he had been held, he could hear the sound of a struggle.

"They're fighting!" he thought. "I must help De Royster!"

As he entered the apartment he saw the jewelry salesman holding Wakely
by the wrists, while the man was endeavoring to get away.

"Quiet now, my dear fellow!" exclaimed Mortimer De Royster. "I say,
old chap, you can't get away, don't you know. I've got you, and I'm
going to have you arrested."

"You are, eh? I'll see about that!" exclaimed Wakely. "Let go of me!"

At the same time he gave a violent wrench.

"Hold on, my dear fellow," remonstrated De Royster. "You mustn't do
that, don't you know."

In spite of his rather slight built De Royster was proving himself
almost a match for Wakely. But his strength was not of the lasting
kind, while the other's was.

"Let me go!" fiercely demanded Wakely. "If you don't it will be the
worst for you!"

At the same time he gave such a yank that he succeeded in freeing one
arm. But De Royster was not going to give up so easily. He grabbed
Wakely around the waist.

At that moment Roy made a rush for Wakely. Just as he was about to
grab him, he was thrust aside by some one from behind. Wakely turned,
gave one look at the newcomer, and cried:

"Quick! Tell Annister he's escaped!"

Wakely had not yet observed Roy, as the boy from the ranch was back of
him. Then the man who had taken Roy from the hotel succeeded in
breaking the hold De Royster and Roy had on him. He dashed from the
room, just as the other man, to whom he had called the warning, also
ran out. Both seemed much frightened.

"Hold on!" cried De Royster, as if either of the men would stop for
that. "Hold on! I know you."

"Come on! We'll get 'em!" shouted Roy, turning quickly and starting
after his captor and the confederate.

But he was too late.

Wakely slammed the door of the room shut, and locked it, and Roy knew
it would be useless to try and open it.

"Break the door down!" exclaimed Mortimer De Royster. "We can catch
them!"

"The door's too strong," replied Roy.

"Then we're caught!"

"Yes, but don't worry. I can go down the lariat the same as I did
before."

"Perhaps you can, but I can