Of course I got the worst of it, including the bruise on my cheek, but I mussed those two college boys up a bit, too.

Then, when I got on my feet, the two college boys still holding me, I demanded virtuously to know what it was all about.

Mr.Ritchie explained hot-headedly.
I told him I could prove that I had just come from Main Street, but my captors didn't let go of me until we came to Mr.Ritchie's.
Then I saw at a glance that the Central fellows had made a good get-away, so then I told Mr.Ritchie how the trick had been done against him.

I showed him just how the string had been rigged, and pointed out the spot where the Central boys had flopped down behind the flower bed.

Their footprints were there in the soil to show it.