"Everybody in Tipton knows that Frank Jordan stole a diamond bracelet from my uncle," he stammered.
"It's false!" shouted out Bob Upton, squarely springing before Gill, who retreated in dismay, "and you are more than a thief, for you're trying to rob an honest boy of his good name. Take that!"
And Bob Upton knocked Gill Mace down—flat.
CHAPTER XV
DARK HOURS
Gill Mace went down with a shock of surprise and a yell of fright. He blubbered as his teeth went together like a pair of castanets.
Banbury stepped forward in his usual braggart way. Bob did not wait for him to advance. He flew right up to him.
"You want some?" he shouted. "Come on, the whole bunch of you, one at a time."
Just then, however, Dean Ritchie uttered a familiar warning, and there was a general movement of commotion and dispersement among the group.
"Scatter, fellows," was what Ritchie said.