hard at the man, who was still some hundreds of yards away. He was a
tall, powerful fellow, clad in a blue coat with gilt buttons, which
gleamed in the sun. He had white corded breeches and riding-boots. He
walked with a vigorous step, and with every few strides he struck
his leg with a dog-whip which hung from his wrist. There was a great
suggestion of purpose and of energy in the man's appearance and bearing.

"Why, he's a gentleman!" said Spring. "Look 'ere, ma'am, this is all a
bit out of my line. I've nothing against the man, and he can mean me no
harm. What am I to do with him?"

"Fight him! Smash him! That is what you are here for."

Tom Spring turned on his heel with disgust. "I'm here to fight, ma'am,
but not to smash a man who has no thought of fighting. It's off."

"You don't like the look of him," hissed the woman. "You have met your
master."

"That is as may be. It is no job for me."

The woman's face was white with vexation and anger.

"You fool!" she cried. "Is all to go wrong at the last minute? There are
fifty pounds here they are in this paper--would you refuse them?"

"It's a cowardly business. I won't do it."

"Cowardly? You are giving the man two stone, and he can beat any amateur
in England."

The young pugilist felt relieved. After all, if he could fairly earn
that fifty pounds, a good deal depended upon his winning it. If he could
only be sure that this was a worthy and willing antagonist!

"How do you know he is so good?" he asked.

"I ought to know. I am his wife."

As she spoke she turned, and was gone like a flash among the bushes. The
man was quite close now, and Tom Spring's scruples weakened as he looked
at him. He was a powerful, broad-chested fellow, about thirty, with a
heavy, brutal face, great thatched eyebrows, and a hard-set mouth. He
could not be less than fifteen stone in weight, and he carried himself
like a trained athlete. As he swung along he suddenly caught a glimpse
of Spring among the trees, and he at once quickened his pace and sprang
over the stile which separated them.

"Halloa!" said he, halting a few yards from him, and staring him up and
down. "Who the devil are you, and where the devil did you come from, and
what the devil are you doing on my property?"

His manner was even more offensive than his words. It brought a flush of
anger to Spring's cheeks.

"See here, mister," said he, "civil words is cheap. You've no call to
speak to me like that."