rang forward and bent above the lad. Lord Hastings
raised the boy's head to his knee.

"Water," he said to Jack.

The latter hastened to get it, and after a few drops had been sprinkled
over his face, Frank opened his eyes. He glanced up curiously at Lord
Hastings.

"What's the matter?" he asked. "What's happened?"

"Matter is," returned Jack quietly, "that you have just been convinced
that you are not such a terrible fighter as you have been thinking."

"You mean he licked me?" demanded Frank, suddenly realizing just what
had happened.

"He did," returned Jack dryly; "and he did a pretty good job of it."

"But I tell you I had him," cried Frank. "One more blow and--and----"

"The one more blow didn't land," replied his chum.

"But I tried----"

"Yes, you tried, all right. I saw you. You just missed him and then he
landed on you--twice, and hard. That's why you're here."

"He couldn't do it again," said Frank feebly.

"Maybe not and maybe yes," said Jack. "However, you're not going to have
another trial. You've been licked, and licked good and proper, and
that's all there is to it. See if you can get up now. I'll take you to
our own quarters."

Frank pulled himself to his feet, and, leaning on Jack, walked from the
room.

Davis now had donned his coat and stood near as the two passed out.
There was a sneering smile on his puffed face, and he spoke.

"Perhaps you fellows will pay a little more attention to me when I say
something after this," he muttered.

Jack whirled on him sharply.

"See here," he said quietly, "if you make any trouble in the future I'll
take you in hand myself. You'll find that the result will be somewhat
different."

"So?" sneered Davis, feeling not a little proud of himself. "You are at
liberty to try at any time. Right now, eh?"

He made as if to discard his coat. Flushed with victory, he manifested
no doubt that he could handle Jack as well as Frank.

In spite of himself, Jack was forced to smile.

"We won't fight now," he said quietly. "You're not in condition in the
first place. But when you have been fixed up, I just want to tell you
not to trifle with me."

"Threats, eh?"

"Call them what you please. I don't want to have to spank you, but I may
have to. Don't bother me, that's all."

He helped Frank from the room without another word. Lord Hastings, about
to leave the room, stopped for a word with Davis.

"Just a word of advice," he said. "As you know, we are