.
They occupied the seats before the fire nearest the door, while Diggs
sprawled as usual before the farther fire. He was busy with a copy of
verses, and East and Tom were chatting together in whispers by the light
of the fire, and splicing a favourite old fives bat which had sprung.
Presently a step came down the bottom passage. They listened a moment,
assured themselves that it wasn't a prepostor, and then went on with
their work, and the door swung open, and in walked Flashman. He didn't
see Diggs, and thought it a good chance to keep his hand in; and as the
boys didn't move for him, struck one of them, to make them get out of
his way.

"What's that for?" growled the assaulted one.

"Because I choose. You've no business here. Go to your study."

"You can't send us."

"Can't I? Then I'll thrash you if you stay," said Flashman savagely.

"I say, you two," said Diggs, from the end of the hall, rousing up and
resting himself on his elbow--"you'll never get rid of that fellow till
you lick him. Go in at him, both of you. I'll see fair play."

Flashman was taken aback, and retreated two steps. East looked at
Tom. "Shall we try!" said he. "Yes," said Tom desperately. So the two
advanced on Flashman, with clenched fists and beating hearts. They were
about up to his shoulder, but tough boys of their age, and in perfect
training; while he, though strong and big, was in poor condition from
his monstrous habit of stuffing and want of exercise. Coward as he was,
however, Flashman couldn't swallow such an insult as this; besides, he
was confident of having easy work, and so faced the boys, saying, "You
impudent young blackguards!" Before he could finish his abuse, they
rushed in on him, and began pummelling at all of him which they could
reach. He hit out wildly and savagely; but the full force of his blows
didn't tell--they were too near to him. It was long odds, though, in
point of strength; and in another minute Tom went spinning backwards
over a form, and Flashman turned to demolish East with a savage grin.
But now Diggs jumped down from the table on which he had seated himself.
"Stop there," shouted he; "the round's over--half-minute time allowed."

"What the --- is it to you?" faltered Flashman, who began to lose heart.

"I'm going to see fair, I tell you," said Diggs, with a grin, and
snapping his great red fingers; "'taint fair for you to be fighting one
of them at a time.--Are you ready, Brown? Time's up."

The