Master Barney.

The would-be detective was not brave save where he believed he had a
decided advantage, and the fact that Seth seemed eager to avoid an
encounter gave him great confidence in his own abilities.

He stepped up menacingly, brandishing his fists directly under Seth's
nose, and Dan cried sharply to his partner:

"Why don't you knock his head off?"

"He don't dare to so much as raise his hands, except he's up 'round
Ninety-four's house, where he thinks some of the firemen will back him!"
Sam cried derisively as he redoubled his efforts to provoke the amateur.

Seth's cheeks were flaming red, and he clenched his fists until the
knuckles were white, in the effort to restrain himself.

If he had been alone there is every probability he might have forgotten
his determination to avoid such encounters, for the would-be detective
was doing all he could to provoke a quarrel; but Dan Roberts,
understanding full well why his partner remained inactive when the
temptation to strike at least one blow was very great, took it upon
himself to put an end to the scene.

Sam was standing directly in front of Seth, brandishing his fists, and
indulging in such epithets as "coward" and "sneak," when Dan sprang
forward suddenly, striking the bully a blow under the ear that sent him
headlong into the gutter.

Then, after looking quickly around to make certain there were no
policemen within ear-shot, he leaped upon the discomfited detective,
seizing him by the coat-collar in such a manner that it was impossible
for Sam to raise his head.

"You're awful keen on havin' a row, an' I'm goin' to give you the
chance! You knew Seth wouldn't put up his hands, because he don't count
on havin' any black marks against him when he goes into the Department;
but I ain't figgerin' on anythin' of that kind, an' can stand a little
bit of a bad name for the sake of servin' you out."

"Come on, Dan, come on! Don't make a row here, 'cause in the first place
Sam Barney ain't worth it, an' then again you mustn't get up a name for
fightin'."

"I reckon that dressin' this chump down won't set me off very bad, an'
I'm willin' to take the risks. Now stand up and show what you can do!"
he added as he released his hold of the detective's collar.

Sam made no effort to rise, nor did he so much as reply.

"You was terrible sharp for a row with Seth, 'cause you counted on his
not mixing up with sich as you. I'm a good bit smaller than he is, an'
a