"Don't yer talk back ter me!" howled Len Snocks, and catching the little lad's stock of papers he threw them down in the mud of the street. "Now clear out, or I'll t'row you down de same way," he went on.
The scene made Nelson's blood boil. He recognized both boys, and knew that Paul Randall helped support a mother who was half blind. Len Snocks was a bully belonging to the crowd with whom Billy Darnley associated.
Rushing across the roadway, Nelson caught Len Snocks by the arm and held him tightly.
"You big brute!" he cried. "Why don't you tackle a fellow your own size?"
"Oh, Nelson, he has spoiled my papers!" sobbed Paul, running to save what was left of the stock.
"Lemme go!" snarled Len Snocks. "Lemme go, do yer hear?"
"You must give Paul clean papers for the dirty ones," returned Nelson firmly.
"I won't do it!"
"I'll make you do it."