"Because he flew at me, and I had to defend myself."

"Is this so, Simon? You saw all that happened."

"Ye--es," admitted Simon, unwillingly.

"That puts a different face on the matter. I don't see how I can arrest
this boy. He had a right to defend himself."

"He came up and abused me--the loafer," said Peter.

"That was the reason you went at him?"

"Yes."

"Have you anything to say?" asked the constable, addressing Gilbert.

"Yes, sir; when I came up I saw this boy firing stones at a cat, who
had taken refuge in that tree over there. He had just hit her, and had
picked up a larger stone to fire when I ordered him to drop it."

"It was no business of yours," muttered Peter.

"I made it my business, and will again."

"Did the cat have a white spot on her forehead?" asked the constable.

"Yes, sir."

"And was mouse colored?"

"Yes, sir."

"Why, it's my little girl's cat. She would be heartbroken if the cat
were seriously hurt. You young rascal!" he continued, turning suddenly
upon Peter, and shaking him vigorously. "Let me catch you at this
business again, and I'll give you such a warming that you'll never want
to touch another cat."

"Let me go!" cried the terrified boy. "I didn't know it was your cat."

"It would have been just as bad if it had been somebody else's cat. I've
a great mind to put you in the lockup."

"Oh, don't, please don't, Mr. Rogers!" implored Peter, quite
panic-stricken.

"Will you promise never to stone another cat?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then go about your business."

Peter lost no time, but scuttled up the street with his companion.

"I am much obliged to you for protecting Flora's cat," then said the
constable to Gilbert.

"You are quite welcome, sir. I won't see any animal abused if I can help
it."

"You are right there."

"Wasn't that boy Peter Cook?"

"Yes. Don't you know him?"

"No; but I know his stepbrother, Carl."

"A different sort of boy! Have you come to visit him?"

"No; he is visiting me. In fact, he has left home, because he could not
stand his step-mother's ill-treatment, and I have come to see his father
in his behalf."

"He has had an uncomfortable home. Dr. Crawford is an invalid, and very
much under the influence of his wife, who seems to have a spite against
Carl, and is devoted to that young cub to whom you have given a lesson.
Does Carl want to come back?"

"No; he wants to strike out for himself, but I told him it was no more
than righ