"You didn't see him among that mob that set on you?"
"No fear," said Jem, "wherever there is a scrimmage Doctor Chord will keep away from it."
"Indeed and in that you're wrong," said I. "Doctor Chord has been the instigator of everything that has happened, and he stood in the background and helped to set them on."
Paddy sat up with wild alarm in his eyes.
"Sure, master," says he, "how could you see through so thick a wall as that?"
"I did not see through the wall at all; I was in the house. When you went through the back door, I went through the front gate, and what I am telling you is true. Doctor Chord is the cause of the whole commotion. That's why he was afraid to come in the room. He thought perhaps you had seen him, and, finding you had not, he'll be back here again when everything is over. Doctor Chord is a traitor, and you may take my word for that."
Paddy rose slowly to his feet, every red hair in his head bristling with scorn and indignation; but as he stood erect he put his hand to his side and gave a howl as he limped a step or two over the floor.
"The black-hearted villain," he muttered through his teeth. "I'll have his life."
"You'll have nothing of the sort," said I, "and we'll get some good attendance out of him, for he's a skillful man. When he has done his duty in repairing what he has inflicted upon you, then you can give him a piece of your mind."
"I'll give him a piece of my boot; all that's left of it," growled Jem Bottles, scowling.