Half a dozen passers-by had already turned and were coming back to learn the meaning of this encounter. Dick understood how awkward the situation would be for the girls, so he glided forward, hailed the car, and led Laura and Belle out to it.
"But I'd rather stay," whispered Belle, in protest. "I want to make sure that Dave doesn't get into any trouble."
"He won't," Dick promised. "It'll save him annoyance if he knows you girls are not being stared at by curious rowdies."
Dick quickly helped the girls aboard the car, then nodded to the conductor to ring the bell. A second later Dick was bounding back to his chum's side.
Fred Ripley was on his feet, scowling at Dave Darrin. The latter, though his fists were not up, was plainly in an attitude where he could quickly defend himself.
"That was an unprovoked assault, you rowdy!" Fred exclaimed wrathfully.
"I'd trust to any committee of gentlemen to exonerate me," Dave answered coolly. "You acted the rowdy, Ripley, and you'd show more sense if you admitted it and reformed."
"What did he do?" demanded one of the curious ones in the crowd.
"He addressed a young lady with offensive familiarity," Dave replied hotly.
"What did you do?" demanded another in the crowd.