Jake's hand, perfectly steady, full of sustaining strength, closed with
authority upon her arm. "That's settled then," he said. "Come now!"

But at this point the Italian burst furiously in upon them with a flood
of unintelligible language that made all further speech impossible.

Jake glanced momentarily over his shoulder as if disturbed by the buzzing
of some insect, then with unruffled composure turned back to the girl.
His eyes looked straight into hers for perhaps ten seconds, then in the
same purposeful fashion he set her free and deliberately turned upon the
man who raged behind him.

As he did so, there came a shouting and banging of doors along the
platform, and the train began to move. Jake's massive shoulders braced
themselves. Without words he seized the raving Italian in a grip there
was no resisting, swept him, as a sudden gale sweeps a leaf, across
the compartment, sent him with a neat twist buzzing forth upon the
platform, and very calmly shut the door and came back.

Then there came a wild shriek of laughter from Toby, and she doubled up
in her corner with hysterical mirth, gasping and gasping for breath, till
he sat squarely down beside her and pulled her into the circle of his
arm.

"Easy, my girl! Easy!" he said. "We're not going to have an exhibition at
this stage. You keep a stiff upper lip till you feel better!"

But the stiff upper lip was rather painfully lacking on that occasion.
She very soon ceased to laugh, but for a long time thereafter she lay
sobbing and shuddering like a little terrified animal against his breast
while the train rushed on through the night.

He was very gentle with her. Jake's stock of patience was practically
limitless, and he and Toby had always had a certain comradeship between
them. But when she grew calmer at last he began to talk in the quiet,
direct fashion habitual to him.

"Say now! You've had a bit of a facer over this. But you needn't be
frightened. You're safe enough from that damned Italian anyway. And
you'll find me a better refuge than he is--if that's what you're
wanting."

She shivered and pressed closer. "You--don't know--what you're in for,"
she whispered piteously.

"That so?" said Jake, unmoved. "Well, maybe you'd like to enlighten me."

But Toby shook her head with a sob. "I couldn't! I just couldn't, Jake.
Do you mind?"

Jake considered the point with slightly drawn brows. "I guess there's no
hurry," he decided at length. "We'll g