Inside the bank building were at least two of the robbers, armed and presumably desperate.

Yet they knew they couldn't shoot their way out through a multitude, either at the front or the back of the building.
On the other hand, the High School boys didn't care about rushing into a darkness that was held by armed men.
Thus the opposing sides stood holding each other at bay until new actors came upon the scene---the police reserves.
Four officers ran to the front of the bank.

Chief Coy and four more appeared in the lane among the High School boys.
"Now, young gentlemen, jump out, if you please!" rang the chief's order, "We've got to get inside at those fellows, and there may be a good many bullets flying." "Huh!" objected Thomp.

"We penned that gang up for you.

Now, are you going to chase us off just as the real fun starts ?" "If you stay, it'll be at your own risk, then," answered Chief Coy, with a rather pleased grin, for he had followed the fortunes of Gridley H.S.on the football gridiron, and well enough he knew the school grit.
Pushing their way through, the police made their way to the closed rear door.
"Within, there!" summoned Coy, knocking lustily on the door.
"You are surrounded, and may as well give up.