The man grew very angry, and his face turned a dull red. He raised his cane, and struck sharply at Hal. But Hal was not there, and a moment later the man received a sharp jolt on the jaw as Hal’s fist went home.
The man let out a string of epithets and rushed at the boy. But the latter was prepared for him, and drove him back with straight rights and lefts; one blow brought a tiny stream of blood from the man’s nose.
He drew back.
“You will answer for that,” he said quietly, and turning, walked off.
Hal shrugged his shoulders, and at that moment the salesman whom Alexis had frightened a few moments before came back.
“Do you know who that was?” he asked of Hal.
“No,” replied the lad, “and what’s more, I don’t care.”
“Well,” said the salesman, “the man whom you just struck is Count de Reslau, and he is very influential. You have made a bad enemy.”
“I don’t care if he is the King of Poland,” replied Hal. “No man can hit me and get away without a return blow.”
Alexis, meanwhile, had been gazing at Hal in astonishment. Now he approached and laid a hand on the lad’s arm.