“Help them bring my father in, Bayliss!” called young Dodge.  “I’ll run to prepare the folks.”

In another moment there was a turmoil of excitement inside the Dodge house.  While the excitement was still going on Bert came out to inform the crowd that both his father and mother needed quiet and medical attendance.  Bert begged the crowd to go away quietly.

Dick and Dave were standing before the gateway way while Editor Pollock answered some of the queries of the crowd.

“Great luck for you fellows, Prescott and Barren!” called some one in the crowd.  “You two will know what to do with a thousand dollars’ reward!”

Bert Dodge wheeled about like a flash, and facing Dave and Dick, shouted: 

“If that’s what you two fellows are hanging around here for, you’d better clear out!  Take it from me that you fellows will get no thousand dollars, or ten cents, out of our family!”

CHAPTER VII

THE FOOTBALL NOTICE GOES UP

Mr. Pollock, usually a very calm man, wheeled upon young Dodge.

“My lad, when you find out what Prescott and Darrin have done in the way of rescuing your father, you’ll feel wholly ashamed of yourself.  I don’t believe either young man has given a second thought to the reward.”

People in a crowd take sides quickly.  Bert heard several muttered remarks from the bystanders that made him flush.  Then, choking and angry, he turned and darted for the house.

By this time Mr. Pollock, Dick and Dave were speeding for “The Blade” office.

Already a run had started on the Second National Bank.  A crowd filled the counting room and extended out onto the sidewalk.  Their depositors, largely small business men and people who ran private check accounts, were frightfully nervous about their money.

Up to noon the bank paid all demands, though the accounts were adjusted slowly, while the crowd grew in numbers outside.  At noon the Second National availed itself of its privilege of closing its doors promptly at that hour on Saturday.

Dick Prescott wrote with furious speed at “The Blade” office.  In another room Mr. Pollock wrote from the facts supplied by Dave Darrin.  In half an hour from the time these three entered the office the “Extra” was out on the street—–­fifteen minutes ahead of “The Mail,” which latter newspaper contained very little beyond the fact that Mr. Dodge had been found, and that he was now under the care of his family.  “The Mail” stated that the discovery had been made by “two High School boys” aiding the police, and did not name either Dick or Dave.

On Monday the bank examiner arrived.  He made a quick inspection of the bank’s affairs, and pronounced the institution “sound.”  The run on the bank stopped, and timid depositors began to bring back their money.  The members of the Dodge family could once more hold up their heads.