out. The men pressed forward to see what would happen, and were
knocked over by the giant. A storm of resentment arose as they struggled
to their feet, and threatening fists were shaken at Jack. None, however,
ventured to attack the broad-shouldered, sinewy sailor, whose gigantic
height and powerful arms inspired awe. At sight of him Thomas caught up
the little girl, the cloak still trailing on the ground and hampering
his movements, and tried to escape through another opening in the
curtains of the tent. He did not require a second look at Jack's enraged
face and blazing eyes to understand that in him Estelle had a mighty
defender, who was not likely to let her kidnapper off easily. It seemed
barely a moment before violent hands were laid on Thomas's collar, the
child torn out of his hands, and himself hurled back among the angry
crowd behind him. A murmur of increasing wrath went up, but Jack paid no
heed to it. Getting rid of the cloak, and taking Estelle in his arms,
he strode out of the tent to where he had left his mother and Julien.
Estelle had fainted, and he was anxious to get her home as quickly as
possible. Her white, unconscious face alarmed him.

CHAPTER XVI.

Mrs. Wright and Julien were still where Jack had left them. Both had
been too frightened to move, and now the sight of him, as he hurried
towards them with Estelle's insensible form in his arms, alarmed them.

'Not dead!' cried Mrs. Wright, with a catch in her throat.

'No, thank Heaven! M. Julien, will you run for the doctor, and send him
down to the Hospice at once? Mother, I will get on ahead, and perhaps M.
Julien will come with you as soon as he has spoken to the doctor.'

Julien agreed gladly. He could not have borne to leave them at such a
time, and he felt some relief that he was able to do something to help.

'The doctor is in one of the shows, but I will soon find him,' he said.
'If you will walk on, Madame, I will catch you up in no time.'

Jack was already almost out of sight, watched by a curious crowd. The
incident had made some stir, and various versions of it were circulated
among the throng. To his dismay, Thomas found that his action might have
very serious consequences. His word would go for nothing against Jack's.
The sailor was too well known, and too highly respected, for Thomas to
hope that even a man like Fargis would say a word against him. All the
blame would naturally fall upon Thomas, and his explanations would