There came Veyergang—and Silla, bashful and half-resisting, with him. They took the way up to the restaurant.
Nikolai suddenly disengaged himself with a jerk, and the next moment, emerging from the darkness, thrust himself between them.
Silla uttered a cry of terror, but Nikolai only gave her a half-glance, and flung her behind him—and thus stood face to face with Veyergang.
The young lion changed colour and retreated a step before the expression of violent hatred confronting him; but, recognising the old enemy of his school days, he curled his lip scornfully.
That look made Nikolai rush upon him, and Veyergang, with a cry of "You cowardly ruffian!" returned the blow with his walking-stick right across Nikolai's face, so that the stick snapped.
"Help! help! Police!"
Nikolai had struck his fist into Veyergang's chest so that the buttons of his coat were torn open, when he was surrounded by three policemen.
A young girl suddenly rushed wildly in among them.
Spectators collected in greater numbers around.
This was a fair-fight of the first sort; and that tall, dark girl too!