In the end, though, they got him down, with cries of triumph.
And then there came a sudden diversion from outside the mob.

Down the road from the great house, shrieking a warning, came a flying motor car.
Its siren sounded quick, angry blasts, and the mob, terrified, broke and scattered to get out of the way of the car.

Fred, stupefied, didn't run.
He had to jump quickly to one side to get out of the car's path.

Then he saw that it was slowing down, and that it was driven by a boy of his own age.

This boy leaned toward him.
"I'm going to turn and go back.