vy left-hander on the face which sent him reeling backward, quickly
following with his right and again with a last terrific blow upon the
jaw of his dazed and reeling victim. Barney fell with a crash upon the
floor, and lay quiet. With a cry Dick sprang at Bulling, but half a
dozen men pulled him off.

"Let him come," said Bulling, with a laugh, "I've a very fine assortment
of the same kind. Families supplied on reasonable terms."

Meantime, while the men were struggling with Dick, Dr. Trent and Drake
were trying to revive poor Barney, bathing his face and hands.

"Stand back! Don't crowd about, men! Bring me a little brandy, someone,"
said Dr. Trent. "A more cowardly brute I've never seen. You're a
disgrace to the profession, Bulling."

"Oh, thanks. I don't need your credentials, Trent," said Bulling
cynically.

But Trent, ignoring him, devoted himself to Barney, who showed signs
of reviving. It was some minutes, however, before he could sit up.
Meanwhile Bulling with his friends retired to the lavatory.

"Here, Boyle," said Treat, holding a glass to his lips as Barney sat up,
"a little more brandy and water."

For a few moments after he drank the liquor Barney sat gazing stupidly
about. Then, as full consciousness returned, cried out, "Where is he?
He's not gone?" He seized the glass of brandy and water from Dr. Treat's
hands and drank it off. "Get me another," he said. "Is he gone?" he
repeated, making an effort to rise.

"Never mind, Boyle, he's gone."

"Wait till another day, Barney," entreated Dick. "Never mind to-night."

At this moment the sound of Dr. Bulling's voice, followed by loud
laughter, came from the lavatory. At once Barney stood up, walked to the
table, poured out a glass of brandy and drank it raw. For a minute he
stood stretching his arms.

"Ah, that's better," he said, and started toward the lavatory, but Dick
clung to him.

"Barney, listen to me," he entreated, his voice coming in broken sobs.
"He'll kill you. Let me take your place."

"Dick, keep out of it," said Barney. "Don't worry. He'll hurt me
no more, but he'll say it before I'm done." And, throwing off the
restraining hands, he made his way into the lavatory. Dr. Bulling was
arranging his collar before a glass. As Barney entered he turned around.

"I'm sorry, Boyle," he began, "but you brought it on yourself, you
know."

Barney walked straight up to him.

"I didn't hear you say you are a liar."

"Look here," cried Bul