stunned against the
stonework, where he had been knocked by a staggering blow, while at his
feet rolled a police whistle with which he had made a brave attempt to
call assistance.

The older gentleman stood with his back to the lamppost, and as Jack
reached his side knocked one of the ruffians flat on his back on the
pavement.

Jack made up his mind instantly as to what he ought to do. Without
stopping he dashed up to the feet of the younger man, picked up the
whistle, and next moment was at the side of the older man. Then he
placed the whistle to his lips and blew with all his might.

"Come on! What are yer standing there for?" exclaimed one of the
ruffians, turning fiercely on his companions, who had drawn away as Jack
arrived upon the scene. "He ain't a peeler! He's only some clerk as
don't know when to keep himself to himself. Now, let's do for 'em all,
and clear away with the swag!"

A second later Jack was forced to drop his whistle and defend himself,
for the three roughs rushed at them. The gentleman sent one of them
reeling back with a tremendous blow on the chest, and was instantly
engaged with the second; while the leader of the gang, a burly,
brutal-looking fellow, singled Jack out and struck at his head with both
fists in quick succession.

To attempt to guard was hopeless. It would have required a far stronger
young fellow than Jack to break the blows. But he escaped by ducking
rapidly, rising the next moment to strike fiercely at the man, and then
throw himself upon him and drag him to the ground.

They fell heavily, the jar shaking the breath out of their bodies, and
causing a sudden pain to shoot through Jack's thigh. But though his
left leg was now useless to him, he stuck to his man in spite of the
excruciating pain it caused him, and, shifting his grasp for a moment,
threw his arms round his antagonist and pinned him to the ground.

A few seconds passed, and just as his strength was giving way, and the
ruffian was on the point of wrenching himself free, a policeman's helmet
appeared above them, a powerful hand grasped his opponent's neck, and
the man was dragged away.

What happened afterwards was a complete blank to Jack.

CHAPTER THREE.

OFF TO AFRICA.

When Jack came to his senses again he was astonished to find himself
tucked up in a cosy bed, with clean white sheets and a red counterpane.
It was placed in the centre of a row of beds which were precisely
similar, and