Visions of striped clothing and prison officials loomed before him, for he had once done time.

His anxious ears heard what Lee did not--the calls of the ruffians who were hurrying to his assistance--and he fought like a tiger.
Buck Badger went up the stairway in quick leaps.

If the burglars heard him, they must have fancied he was the guard left at the window, for they did not look round.

But before the Kansan could reach the upper landing, the three scoundrels were on Lee.
"Clip him on der head!" one of them growled.

"Don't use yer barker--too much noise! Hit him wid der jimmy.