ed
gleefully. John forgot himself so far as to dance incautiously into the
path of light. Then from the shadows of the porch swing--that same swing
which was to transport itself mysteriously far down the street in the
evening--emerged the tall, angular figure which had driven them away
that other Saturday.

"Jiggers!" came the shout of warning.

"John Fletcher!" That doughty leader retreated to the shelter of the
shadows. "I'll telephone your mother this minute. Such a lot of bullies
I've never seen before in my life!"

The boys were in for it. Nevertheless, they listened to the prolonged
tirade with suppressed amusement. Its conclusion was an order to the
quartette to go down on the walk again.

"They won't touch a hair of your heads now," she boasted unwisely.

Again came the stinging volleys on the sheeted figures. A few of the
peas flew by chance, or otherwise, in the direction of the protectress,
herself.

"Come into the house this minute," she called to her brood. "I'll fix
'em."

The door slammed angrily. Through a front window, the boys could see her
at the telephone in the lighted hallway. They redoubled the bombardment
of the house in defiance.

Across the street a door creaked. Mrs. Alford's voice carried to where
the excited little group stood.

"Per-e-e-e, it's nearly seven. Supper is ready. Come in and get washed
right away!"

The "Tigers" gasped and dispersed quickly. Half-past six was the
deadline for the evening meal with most of them, and parental scoldings
were in order.

"See you at eight," Silvey called as he turned north.

John stopped short. Hang that party!

"I w-won't be with the gang," he quavered.

"What?" Bill could scarcely believe his ears. John explained haltingly.

"That kid! I knew she'd make trouble."

The murder was out; the worst was over with. But it would never do to
let his chum think that he regretted the choice.

"Oh, I don't know." John gathered courage and glibness as he went on.
"Saw two ice cream freezers going in the back way this afternoon, and
Jiminy, Silvey, her mother's some cook. Louise says [he hadn't laid eyes
on that lady since Friday] she's just baked four chocolate layer cakes
with nuts and candies in the frosting. And there's lots of other things.
Now, don't you wish you were me?"

Silvey shrugged his shoulders and admitted that the entertainment had
its alluring side.

"Chocolate cake," he repeated. "Just think, all you can eat."

Ther