“Go on!” said Dick coldly. “The more you say, the more occasion I shall find for thumping you to my complete satisfaction when I begin on you. I did not follow you to Mrs. Throckmorton’s. I went there to make a call on Miss Thornton, hearing that she is to leave the city soon. I was a fool for going, I’ll admit. When I mounted the steps——”
“Crept up like a sneaking dog, you mean!” interrupted Dade, holding himself in readiness for the blow which he expected.
“When I mounted the steps I overheard you talking to Miss Thornton, for you were speaking so loud that I couldn’t help hearing. You know what you said to her. I caught only a few words, but enough to understand the whole thing. I have seen it all along, but have had no proof of it till now. You went with her simply because you thought it would hurt me and make me jealous. You thought me weak enough to throw myself into the saloons and make a fool of myself generally. You have seen that I did nothing of the kind, and now, having failed in your object, you throw her over with no feeling whatever, showing you to be a thoroughbred cad!”
Dade was trembling, but fear of the big freshman’s fist made him cautious. In spite of his bluster and sharp words he had learned to respect that fist and the man behind it.
“Is that all?” he sneered.
“No. It won’t be enough until I have taught you to respect women. I regret that I have been compelled to mention Miss Thornton in this matter. She is a lady, and has had the misfortune to become acquainted with a conscienceless villain and to be made his tool. I shouldn’t have mentioned her name, but I want you to understand just what I mean.”
He slipped up his sleeves.
“There is no other way to redress such things, and, as Miss Thornton doesn’t happen to have a brother to do this for her, I shall take the pleasure. Put up your hands, you scoundrel, or I’ll knock you down!”
There was no mistaking the tone of Dick Starbright’s voice. Morgan glanced round. The place was isolated and poorly lighted, and Dion Santenel had disappeared.
“Defend yourself!” Dick hissed.