m at all points in this
manner.

"An you come on too fast," quavered Paddy, "ye can grab two legs, but
there will be one left for your eye and another for your brisket."

However she came on, sure enough, and there was a moment of scuffling
near the end of the bed out of my sight. I wriggled down to gain
another view, and when I cautiously lifted an edge of the valance my
eyes met the strangest sight ever seen in all England. Paddy, much
dishevelled and panting like a hunt-dog, had wedged the Countess
against the wall. She was pinioned by the four legs of the chair, and
Paddy, by dint of sturdily pushing at the chair-back, was keeping her
in a fixed position.

In a flash my mind was made up. Here was the time to escape. I
scrambled quickly from under the bed. "Bravo, Paddy!" I cried, dashing
about the room after my sword, coat, waistcoat, and hat. "Devil a fear
but you'll hold her, my bucko! Push hard, my brave lad, and mind your
feet don't slip!"

"If your honour pleases," said Paddy, without turning his eyes from
his conquest, "'tis a little help I would be wishing here. She would
be as strong in the shoulder as a good plough-horse and I am not for
staying here for ever."

"Bravo, my grand lad!" I cried, at last finding my hat, which had
somehow gotten into a corner. From the door I again addressed Paddy in
encouraging speech. "There's a stout-hearted boy for you! Hold hard,
and mind your feet don't slip!"

He cast a quick agonized look in my direction, and, seeing that I was
about basely to desert him, he gave a cry, dropped the chair, and
bolted after me. As we ran down the corridor I kept well in advance,
thinking it the best place in case the pursuit should be energetic.
But there was no pursuit. When Paddy was holding the Countess prisoner
she could only choke and stammer, and I had no doubt that she now was
well mastered by exhaustion.

Curiously there was little hubbub in the inn. The fact that the
Countess was the rioter had worked in a way to cause people to seek
secluded and darkened nooks. However, the landlord raised his bleat at
me. "Oh, sir, such a misfortune to befall my house just when so many
grand ladies and gentlemen are here."

I took him quietly by the throat and beat his head against the wall,
once, twice, thrice.

"And you allow mad ladies to molest your guests, do you?" said I.

"Sir," he stuttered, "could I have caused her to cease?

"True," I said, releasing him. "But now do as