They bore him to the ground, as the Dreadnought Boy, with a loud shout of:
"Stand clear!" dashed from his place of concealment.
[CHAPTER XXIV.]
IN THE PULSIFERS' HANDS.
Sinewy and well-muscled as he was, Ned realized a moment later that he was in for such a battle against odds as he had never fought before. Hardly had he made his unexpected appearance and bowled the astonished younger Pulsifer over with a well-directed blow of his fist, before one of the quartet that had downed Mr. Varian sprang upon the lad and gripped him in a strong-armed embrace.
As they swayed back and forth, Ned saw the fellow's features as the two emerged into a patch of moonlight. His astonishment almost caused him to lose his advantageous grip.
"Hank Harkins!" he gasped.
"Yes, Hank Harkins; and this is the time I even up old scores," grated the other, through his close-set teeth.