Crack! It was our hero's revolver that spoke, and the knife dropped to the ground with a ring, leaving the fellow's arm hanging limp at his side.
The report of the revolver could but attract a crowd, and the next minute over a score of people were on the spot, among them being Poppet and Van's companions.
The cowardly villain watched his opportunity to sneak off, his wounded arm dangling at his side.
"Tell these people what has happened," said Van, addressing the girl.
She obeyed him promptly enough, and when she had concluded a cheer went up from the crowd.
"Thank you," said she, turning to her champion and shaking him warmly by the hand. "Call and see me this evening; my papa will be home then. Don't fail!"
The next moment she left the crowd and entered the house.
"By Jove! Van, you are a dandy, and no mistake!" exclaimed Jack Howard. "Here I have been all over this city, and haven't had an opportunity of being of service to an old woman, let alone a pretty girl like that. You are a lucky fellow, anyhow."
"Why," observed Joe, turning his large eyes upon those of the young Englishman, "do you like pretty girls so much?"
"I like all girls, whether pretty or not," replied Jack, "but in all my travels I never met but one girl whom I liked enough to take for a wife; and I was not with her long enough to learn much about her."