“See here,” spoke Dale, springing in front of the man, “this is none of your business.”
“Oh, yes, it is,” returned the stranger in the same gentle, purring way. “I am interested. Speak on, young man.”
“Get him away!” directed Dale in a sharp whisper to Gus.
Then, quick as lightning, he made a pass at the stranger. He was double the weight of the latter and half a head taller. Andy expected to see his champion flatten out like the weakling he looked.
“Ah,” said the latter, “it is so you answer questions. My way, then.”
What he did he did so quickly that Andy could not follow all of his movements. The hands of the little man moved about like those of an expert weaver at the loom. The result was a marvel. In some way he caught Dale around the neck. The next moment he swung him from the ground past his shoulder and his adversary landed with a thump.
Gus dropped the rope and ran at the stranger, club uplifted. Again the wiry strength of the little man was exerted. He seemed to stoop, and his arms enclosed Gus about the hips. There was a tug and tussle. Gus was wrenched from his footing, and went skidding to the ground, face down, for nearly two yards.
“Thunder!” he shouted, wiping the sand from his mouth.
