ing 'em more than they expected."

"Give it up, old fellow. But I tell you what I can do. You remember that
baseball bat of mine that's been lying over here so long? I'll carry it
home now, and save you the trouble, thank you," nodded Paul.

"Bully! a good idea. Here it is behind the door. And Paul, don't spare
the measly bunch; but whack 'em good and hard."

CHAPTER XX

SUCH GLORIOUS LUCK

Paul walked down the street, swinging the baseball bat carelessly, and
softly whistling to himself.

He left the street on which his chum's house fronted, and presently came
to his own thoroughfare.

"H'm!" he said to himself, as he boldly turned in here; "looks kind of
half dark for a fact; but that always suits fellows up to a mean dodge. I
musn't hit too hard, for this is an awful tough old bat, that has brought
me in more than a few home-runs. Well, it's helping me make one now," and
he actually snickered at the conceit.

As he advanced he braced himself for the expected fray. Of old he knew
Ted Slavin was a muscular fellow, capable of enforcing obedience from his
slavish followers.

What was that? He certainly heard the sound of voices a little further
along. And somehow one of them seemed to give Paul a strange feeling;
for he was positive that it was a girl's tones; and he recognized them
too!

Ward Kenwood was taking Arline home; and for some unknown reason chose to
select this very street as a part of his route, although it was a little
out of the way.

How strange that they should all come together just at that very
identical spot, where the trio of ambushed boys were crouching, ready to
spring out.

Ah! Paul caught sight of something moving close by. He felt sure that it
must be the concealed fellows, launching their boom. Yes, now he could
make out their figures as they emerged from the bushes on the jump.

Some one screamed. It must be Arline, frightened by the appearance of
these ugly, uncouth forms dancing upon the pavement.

Instantly the greatest confusion existed, with the ambushers attacking
Paul, to shout in consternation when he began to thump them heartily on
the legs and backs with his baseball bat; and the girl standing there
trying to shut out, with her clasped hands, the strange sight, seen so
dimly in the half darkness.

The patter of feet down the street told only too well where her protector
had gone; but he was valiantly calling lustily for help as he ran.

Met by such a dete