ve threw themselves on Peggy. Once
more she shook them off, but they closed in again, and a struggle
began, all the more fierce that no word was spoken, no cry uttered. No
cry, that is, by the combatants. When the five set upon Peggy, Viola ran
in and made an effort to pull them off, with piteous entreaties. But no
one paid the smallest heed to her, and the poor little butterfly,
frightened and distressed, burst into tears, and ran away.

At the same moment, any one who had been listening in quiet might have
heard a singular sound that seemed to come from above, from outside--no
one could tell from where; the cry of an owl, followed by a long, low
howl. Three times this was repeated; and many a junior, studying under
her lamp, looked up and said, "What is up now, I wonder?" for the sound
recalled freshman days, before the Lone Wolf and the two Owls had come
to the parting of the ways.

Three minutes later, two figures, speeding silently along Corridor A,
were met at a turn by a third, which flung itself sobbing upon them.

[Illustration: "WITH ONE OF HER SUDDEN MOVEMENTS SHE HAD THROWN OFF HER
ASSAILANTS."]

"Oh, Snowy, oh, Fluffy, they are killing Peggy Montfort! I was coming
to call you--oh, be quick! be quick!"

Without stopping, somehow the Snowy Owl managed to open a door and
thrust Viola in. It was to be noticed that neither girl looked at her.
They ran on, swift and silent.

Indeed, it was time! Peggy's lip was bleeding, where Vivia Varnham's
head had struck against it as she fell, tripped by a pretty trick that
was learned on the Western farm. Her hair was dragged down and hung in
her eyes, her dress was torn in a dozen places. With one of her sudden
movements she had thrown off her assailants, and stood for an instant
alone, looking the very Spirit of Battle, with blazing eyes and scarlet
cheeks. Blanche Haight rushed at her again, and this time Peggy seized
her around the waist in a deadly grip. The others closed in once more,
furious, determined this time to finish with the insolent freshman. It
was like to go hard with Peggy Montfort this time.

What happened? A flash, the glance of an eye, and all was changed. The
assailants fell back, staggering across the room, gasping and staring;
and the Snowy and the Fluffy Owl were standing shoulder to shoulder with
Peggy, one on either side, with stern and angry looks.

For a moment there was dead silence, save for the hard breathing as
Blanche Haight tried