it, though," he
added incautiously.

"Give it to me, then," commanded the other. "I'll overlook what
you've done if you truthfully give me the number of that taxicab.
Find that girl I must, and as early as possible. Though I know
her well, and her family, too, I do not know where to look for
them in New York."

Dave, without a word, turned as though to walk toward Broadway.

"Give me that taxi's number," insisted the stranger.

"I won't," Dave returned, flatly.

"Give me that number, or-----"

"Or what?" drawled Darrin halting and glancing contemptuously
at the furious face before him.

"Or I'll pound the number out of you!" came the ugly challenge.

"Go ahead," Dave invited, coolly. "I don't mind a fight in the
least, though perhaps you would, for I see a policeman coming
up the street. He would be bound to arrest both of us. Perhaps
you have better reasons than I have for not courting the activities
of the police."

It was plain that a fearful, even though brief struggle, took
place in the stranger's mind before he made reply to Dave's taunt.

"I'll find you again, and the next time you shall not get off
so easily," muttered the other. "Depend upon it, I shall see
you again!"

With that the stranger walked toward Broadway. Smiling, Dave
strolled more slowly after him. By the time the naval ensign
reached the corner of that great artery of human life, the stranger
had lost himself in the crowds of people that thronged Broadway.

"If I see him again within twenty-four hours, I think I shall
know him," laughed Darrin. "My first blow put a red welt on his
cheek for purposes of identification."

Then Darrin finished his walk, turning in at the Allsordia.

Dan Dalzell had also finished his bath, and lounging comfortably
in his pajamas, was reading a late edition of the evening newspaper.
"Have any fun?" asked Ensign Dalzell, glancing up.

"Just a little bit of a frolic," smiled Darrin, and told his chum
what had happened.

"I'm glad you punched the scoundrel," flared Danny Grin.

"I couldn't do anything else," Dave answered soberly, "and if
it weren't for the shame of treating a woman in such high-handed
fashion as that fellow did, I'd look upon the whole affair as
a pleasant diversion."

"So he's going to look for you and find you, then settle up this
night's business with you, is he?" demanded Dalzell, with one
of the grins that had made him famous. "Humph! If he finds you
after ten o`