“I am glad I was on hand to help you out,” replied the stalwart boy, wiping specks of blood from his skinned knuckles.
“It was fortunate for me you were. You must come with me to my hotel. I can’t let you off in this shabby manner.”
“I am afraid you will have to excuse me,” answered the boy, with a smile, “for I have a young lady yonder waiting for me to take her home.”
“Indeed!” exclaimed the gentleman, in surprise.
“Come, Miss Jennie; the danger is all over,” called Dick. And taking courage at this, Miss Nesbitt advanced from the shadow of the buildings a few yards away.
She regarded the three prostrate forms with a little shudder and took refuge close to her young escort.
“This is Miss Nesbitt,” began Dick. “I beg your pardon, I don’t know your name, sir.”
“Armstrong,” replied the gentleman, raising his hat politely to the girl.
“Why, that’s my name!” cried the boy, in surprise.
“Is it possible?” exclaimed the stranger, regarding the boy with a new and, we may add, intense interest.