“You dog!” said Frank. “You deserve to be jailed! You are thoroughly evil! Out you go!”
There was a struggle, during which the man drew something bright from his pocket. Little Jack uttered a shrill cry and leaped forward, swinging his crutch. With that weapon, the boy knocked the knife from the man’s hand, and it fell clattering to the floor.
“Aha!” grated the engineer. “He saved ye that time!”
When Frank realized that the man had attempted his life, he was furious. With wonderful strength, he lifted old Joe, ran him out into the passage, reached the head of the stairs, and threw him down.
Bump! thump! bang!
The man bounced down the stairs, and struck in the darkness at the bottom.
“Get out!” cried Frank. “I am coming down, and I’ll throw you out if you are there when I reach the bottom!”
The man gathered himself and made haste to get away before Frank could reach him, but he retreated swearing vengeance.
Frank turned and ascended the stairs. In the room, little Nell was sobbing in the arms of her brother.