e was an interruption from the doorway.

"What's the meaning of this?" demanded a stern voice.

All turned quickly. Lord Hastings stood in the doorway.

"I say, what's the meaning of this?" he demanded.

"Just a little personal affair, sir," replied Frank, stepping forward.
"Davis here and I are going to settle a difference."

"Hm-m-m," muttered Lord Hastings, sizing the two up critically. "And you
think you can thrash him, eh?"

"I think so, sir."

"Well, I don't," was the reply. "I have a notion to forbid it."

"Don't, sir," pleaded Frank. "It will have to come some time, and the
sooner the better."

Lord Hastings was plainly undecided. But at last he threw open his arms
in a gesture of permission.

"Go ahead, then," he said. "I'll stay and see fair play."

Watch in hand, Jack raised an arm. He was silent a moment. Then,

"Go!" he said, "and remember, fight fair!"

The two combatants had sprung forward before the words were out of
Jack's mouth, and the latter was obliged to skip nimbly aside to get out
of their way.

Davis rushed forward to meet Frank, who advanced more slowly, though
with confidence written large on his features. Jack, perceiving this,
shook his head sadly.

Frank evaded Davis' first terrific blow, that must have laid him flat
had it landed. Side-stepping neatly, he struck Davis a light and
glancing blow over the right ear. There was little force behind it and
Davis did not even wince. He whirled and rushed again.

Again Frank side-stepped and planted a light blow to Davis' head,
following it up quickly with a heavier blow to the forehead. Davis shook
his head, and, raising his guard, stood still. Evidently he had decided
to try no more rushing tactics.

Frank, nothing loath to take the offensive, advanced confidently. He
feinted with his left and drove hard with his right. He knew that he
gauged the distance carefully and he was unable to account for the fact
that the blow failed to land. A moment later he staggered back a trifle
from a blow upon the side of the cheek. Davis had outgeneraled him
there.

There was not much force to the blow and Frank smiled. Now Davis
advanced, and, feinting rapidly with both hands, placed his right
against Frank's mouth. But the lad had perceived the blow coming and
stepped quickly backward, breaking the force of it, and was not hurt.
Before Davis could cover, the lad placed a hard right and left to Davis'
nose, bringing blood. Davis gave grou