led for the crossing back there. Make up your mind to
that, son!"

Don looked irresolutely from Tim to the door and back again. He didn't
want to fight Tim the least bit in the world. He wasn't so sure now that
he wanted to get that train, either. But, having stated his purpose, he
felt it encumbent on him to carry it out. Then his gaze fell on the
windows and he darted toward them.

But Tim had already thought of that way of escape and before Don had
traversed half the distance from door to windows Tim had planted himself
resolutely in the way. "No you don't, Donald," he said calmly. "You'll
have to lick me first, boy, and I'm feeling quite some scrappy!"

"I don't want to lick you," said Don irritably, "but I mean to get that
train. You'd better either give up that key or stand out of my way,
Tim."

"Neither, thanks. And, look here, if we get to scrapping Horace will
hear us and then you won't get away in any case. Be sensible, Don, and
give it up. It can't be done, old man."

"Will you unlock that door?" demanded Don angrily.

"No, confound you, I won't!"

"Then I'm going out by the window!"

"And I say you're not." Tim swiftly peeled off his coat. "Anyway, not in
time to get that train."

Don dropped his bag to the floor and tossed overcoat and umbrella on his
bed. "I've given you fair warning, Tim," he said in a low voice. "I
don't want to hurt you, but you'd better stand aside."

"I don't want to get hurt, Don," replied the other quietly, "but if you
insist, all right. I'm doing what I'd want you to do, Don, if I went
crazy in the head. You may not like it now, but some day you'll tell me
I did right."

"You're acting like a fool," answered Don hotly. "It's no business of
yours if I want to get out of here. Now you let me pass, or it'll be the
worse for you!"

"Don, will you listen to reason? Sit down calmly for five minutes and
let's talk this thing over. Will you do that?"

"No! And I won't be dictated to by you, Tim Otis! Now get out of the
way!"

"You'll have to put me out," answered Tim with set jaw. "And you're
going to find that hard work, Donald. We're both going to get horribly
mussed up, and----"

But Tim didn't finish his remark, for at that instant Don rushed him.
Tim met the onslaught squarely and in a second they were struggling
silently. No blows were struck. Don was bent only on getting the other
out of the way and making his escape through the open window there,
while Tim was