"Boy, don't dare to talk to me in this fashion!" stormed the young man. "If you do, I'll—I'll hand you over to the police."
"No, you won't. You just leave me alone and I'll leave you alone," answered the newsboy. "And you leave Miss Gertrude alone, too," he added warmly.
"Gertrude, have you taken up with this common fellow?" asked Bulson.
"Nelson has been my friend," answered the girl. "He has a heart of gold."
"I can't agree with you. He is but a common boy of the streets, and——"
Homer Bulson went no further, for Nelson came closer and clenched his fists.
"Stop, or I'll make you take it back, big as you are," said the boy.
"Then you won't accept my protection?" said Bulson, turning his back on our hero.
"No. If Uncle Mark wishes to write to me he can address me in care of the General Post Office," answered Gertrude.