rth,
throwing himself into the approved pugilistic attitude, began dancing
about the young Scot.

"Hoot, mon, awa' hame wi' ye. Tak' yon young tyke wi' ye an' gie him a
bit wash, he's needin' it," said Mack, smiling pleasantly at the excited
and belligerent Mr. Wigglesworth.

At this point Captain Jack, slowly motoring by the lane mouth, turned
his machine to the curb and leaped out.

"What's the row here?" he asked, making his way through the considerable
crowd that had gathered. "What's the trouble, Wigglesworth?"

"They're knockin' my boy abaht, so they be," exclaimed Mr. Wigglesworth.
"But," with growing and righteous wrath, "they'll find (h)out that,
wotsomever they do to a kid, w'en they come (h)up agin Joe Wigglesworth
they've struck somethin' 'ard--'ard, d'ye 'ear? 'Ard!" And Mr.
Wigglesworth made a pass at the young Scot.

"Hold on, Wigglesworth," said Captain Jack quietly, catching his arm.
"Were you beating up this kid?" he asked, turning to the young man.

"Nae buddie's beatin' up the lad," said Mack quietly.

"It was me," said the girl, turning a defiant face to Captain Jack.

"You? Why! great Scot! Blest if it isn't Annette."

"Yes, it's me," said the girl, her face a flame of colour.

"By Jove, you've grown up, haven't you? And it was you that--"

"Yes, that big brute was abusing Steve here."

"What? Little Steve Wickes?"

"He was, and I pitched him into the fence. He hit his head and cut it, I
guess. I didn't mean--"

"Served him right enough, too, I fancy," said Captain Jack.

"I'll 'ave the law on the lot o' ye, I will. I'm a poor workin' man,
but I've got my rights, an' if there's a justice in this Gawd forsaken
country I'll 'ave protection for my family." And Mr. Wigglesworth,
working up a fury, backed off down the lane.

"Don't fear, Wigglesworth, you'll get all the justice you want. Perhaps
Sam will tell us--Hello! Where is Sam?"

But Sam had vanished. He had no mind for an investigation in the
presence of Captain Jack.

"Well, well, he can't be much injured, I guess. Meantime, can I give you
a lift, Annette?"

"No, thank you," said the girl, the colour in her cheeks matching the
crimson ribbon at her throat. "I'm just going home. It's only a little
way. I don't--"

"The young leddy is with me, sir," said the young Scotchman quietly.

"Oh, she is, eh?" said Captain Jack, looking him over. "Ah, well,
then--Good-bye, Annette, for the present." He held out his hand. "We
must