Neither lad appeared to have heard him, for the rolling and floundering continued a few seconds longer. All at once Steve got a firm grip on the wrist of his antagonist. The office boy uttered a yell as the wrist was bent backwards. Rush swung him over on his face and sat down on him somewhat out of breath.
"Is this—is this Mr. Carrhart, sir?" stammered Steve.
"It is. But may I inquire what this remarkable performance means?"
"I came to see you, sir."
"You go about it in a very peculiar manner. Get up!"
"I can't, sir; the boy will want to fight me again."
"I will attend to the boy. Get up at once!"
Rush rose to his feet. As he had predicted, the office boy made another dash for him, but this Steve avoided by stepping to one side.
"Oscar, that will do!" said Mr. Carrhart sternly. "You have done your duty as you saw it. You may leave the room."