Just at this moment, close by, he heard sounds of an uproar.
These things are generally prevented at public balls by the presence of the police, but no officers were in sight now—perhaps they had gone into the refreshment room.
Darrell instantly had a suspicion of the truth, and his eyes were immediately directed toward the melee.
Just as he suspected, in the struggling crowd he saw the tall form of the Spanish bull fighter—the man was dealing blows right and left and had already sent several audacious assailants rolling in the dust of the hall floor.
CHAPTER VII
A BRAND FROM THE BURNING
The detective was a man.
He admired courage and grit, no matter in whom it was found, and when he saw the Spanish bull fighter holding his own against the number who had assailed him he could not but express this feeling.
It seemed as though these young bloods were furious because the other kept his partner to himself, and allowed her to dance with no one else—it is always the case that a pack of such hot heads may be found at a public gathering, and trouble often ensues.
Perhaps the Lady of Cards, secure behind her mask, had flirted with some of them, and had driven them wild.
It is human nature to covet what we cannot have and their anger toward the giant bull fighter had grown intense.