'Can you tell me,' went on Charteris, 'if you have seen such a thing as a boy in this Spinney lately? We happen to have lost one. An ordinary boy. No special markings. His name is Thomson, on the Grampian Hills—'
At this point the keeper felt that he had had enough. He made a dive for the speaker.
Charteris dodged behind Tony, and his assailant, not observing this, proceeded to lay violent hands upon the latter, who had been standing waiting during the conversation.
'Let go, you fool,' cried he. The keeper's hand had come smartly into contact with his left eye, and from there had taken up a position on his shoulder. In reply the keeper merely tightened his grip.
'I'll count three,' said Tony, 'and—'
The keeper's hand shifted to his collar.
'All right, then,' said Tony between his teeth. He hit up with his left at the keeper's wrist. The hand on his collar loosed its grip. Its owner rushed, and as he came, Tony hit him in the parts about the third waistcoat-button with his right. He staggered and fell. Tony hit very hard when the spirit moved him.
'Come on, man,' said Charteris quickly, 'before he gets his wind again. We mustn't be booked trespassing.'
Tony recognised the soundness of the advice. They were out of the Spinney in two minutes.
'Now,' said Charteris, 'let's do a steady double to the road. This is no place for us. Come on, you man of blood.'