“Take thot, ye thafe av th’ worruld!” cried the one who had delivered the blow. “It’s Barney Mulloy thot wur watchin’ yez all th’ toime, ye haythen spalpane!”
“Barney Mulloy!”
Frank uttered the name in a joyous cry of recognition; but his voice was drowned by the sudden uproar in the theatre. Men sprang to their feet, and women screamed.
Frank caught Jack by the arm, shouting in his ear: “Come, we must stand by that fellow! He is an old friend of mine!”
“I am with you,” assured Diamond, who had good fighting blood, which was easily aroused.
They forced their way through the throng which surrounded the boy who had struck the Chinaman.
“Barney!” cried Frank.
“Mother av Mowses!” shouted the Irish lad in amazement. “Is it mesilf thot’s gone crazy, or am Oi dramin’?”
“Not a dream,” assured Merry, as he grasped Barney’s hand.
“Is it yesilf, Frankie?”