CHAPTER VIII
THE PATROL-LEADERS
A few days later Dick Elliott was standing outside a shop in Bardon High Street waiting for his sister, who was inside. He was on his way to a party, and so was dressed in full fig, a thing he hated very much, but had to put up with on such occasions.
Presently a second boy came along the pavement towards him. It was Chippy, with a big bundle under his right arm. Chippy looked at the smart figure staring into the shop-window, and recognised it.
'One o' them Wolf toffs,' thought Chippy. 'I wish I'd a chance to slug 'im now. I'd soon knock 'is top-'at in the gutter.'
The vengeful Chippy was staring at Dick's glossy silk hat and irreproachable gloves, when Dick looked up straight into the other boy's face. At the next moment Chippy was taken utterly aback, for Dick stepped forward and gave him the full salute. Chippy could scarcely believe his own eyes when he thus received the honours of a patrol-leader.
But he tucked his bundle between his legs, for the pavement was dirty, returned the salute, and proffered his left hand.
'Wot cheer, brother!' murmured Chippy in his husky whisper, for he could think of no more appropriate salutation.
'Oh, I'm all right,' said Dick. 'How are the Ravens getting on?'