The words had barely escaped Howard’s lips when Ray leaped forward and seized him by the throat.
CHAPTER VII
OPEN ENEMIES
The onslaught was so sudden that Howard was almost taken off his feet. He was dashed back against the wall and shaken until he was nearly breathless. When he was almost strangling, Ray loosened his grip somewhat, but still held him firmly by the throat, pressing him against the wall.
“There, you cowardly sneak,” he said, “don’t try to bully me any longer. Now after this leave my mail alone.”
With these words Ray released him. Howard, who was thoroughly frightened, sank almost to his knees, and crouched there for several seconds, breathing heavily. Then, as his breath gradually returned to him, he recovered himself, straightened up, and smoothed out his rumpled collar, while his face took on an evil expression.
“All right, Ray Wendell,” he said, panting. “We understand each other. I’ll be even with you fifty times over for this——”
“I don’t care what you do,” retorted Ray, interrupting him.
“Haven’t you already gone far enough, Howard?” said I. “Can’t you see that every word you say only makes matters worse? What do you suppose the fellows will say when they hear of this?”
Howard paused a moment. The humiliating results of such an exposure dawned upon him. He struggled to master himself, and finally said in an altered tone: