disadvantage, raised him clear from the turf and
dashed him down, falling with all his weight upon him.

It was as clean and quick a fall as I have seen, but for a second my
heart stood still, fearing Bishop's neck had been broken. He gasped once
or twice, and then I heard a muffled laugh.

"Let me up, Bob; that's one for you!" he said, and both struggled to
their feet. There was a rent in the right knee of Harding's trousers,
and his shirt was a sight, but he neither knew of this nor would have
cared for it.

"Not quite so soft and easy as you thought I was eh, Jim?" he panted,
extending his hand. "You got the holt all right, but you wasn't quick
enough."

"I held you too cheap that time," admitted Bishop, rather sheepishly,
throwing away a pair of ruined suspenders, "but I'll get you this time.
Come on, Bob!"

"You referee this match, Smith!" said Harding, standing on guard. "You
know the rules. No fall unless both shoulders and one hip is down."

Misfortune had taught Bishop caution. I could see he feared Harding's
enormous strength and that he aimed to wind him if possible. He managed
to elude the grasp of his antagonist for probably a minute, and more by
luck than skill fell on top when the end of the clinch came. But Harding
was not down by any means, and there then ensued a struggle which made
me oblivious to all surroundings.

Though I was the referee I was "rooting" for Harding, and so was Carter,
while Marshall and Chilvers were giving mental and vocal encouragement
to Bishop. I do not suppose any of us realised we were saying a word.

First Harding would have a slight advantage, and then the tide would
turn in favour of Bishop. The latter was more agile, but the former
outclassed him in power. They writhed along that croquet ground like two
gigantic tumble-bugs locked in a life and death struggle. Neither said a
word, and both were absolutely fair in attack and defense. As the
struggle continued it seemed to me that Harding was weakening, but he
told me later he was merely resting for the effort which would insure
him victory.

I heard the swish of skirts, the frightened cry of female voices, and
the next instant two most estimable ladies invaded the improvised ring
and laid hands on the principals.

I doubt if the combined physical exertion of Mrs. Bishop and Mrs.
Harding could have made the slightest impress on the embrace which held
their lords and masters, but what they said had a magical and