Strepp. He'd be deep in the matter,
I warrant you!"

"Look yon, Bill! Mark the gentleman with the red hair. He's not from
these parts, truly. Where, think you, he comes from?"

"'Tis a great marvel to see such hair, and I doubt not he comes from
Africa."

They did not come very near, for in those days there was little the
people feared but a gentleman, and small wonder. However, when the
little boys judged that the delay in a resumption of the fight was too
prolonged, they did not hesitate to express certain unconventional
opinions and commands.

"Hurry up, now!"

"Go on!"

"You're both afeared!"

"Begin! Begin!"

"Are the gentlemen in earnest?"

"Sirs, do you mean ever to fight again? Begin, begin."

But their enthusiasm waxed high after they had thoroughly comprehended
Paddy and his hair.

"You're alight, sir; you're alight!"

"Water! Water!"

"Farmer Pelton will have the officers at you an you go near his hay.
Water!"

Paddy understood that they were paying tribute to his importance, and
he again went suddenly out of my control. He began to strut and caper
and pose with the air of knowing that he was the finest gentleman in
England.

"Paddy, you baboon," said I, "be quiet and don't be making yourself a
laughing-stock for the whole of them."

But I could give small heed to him, for I was greatly occupied in
watching Lord Strepp and the Colonel. The Colonel was listening now
to his friend for the simple reason that the loss of blood had made
him too weak to fight again. Of a sudden he slumped gently down
through Lord Strepp's arms to the ground, and, as the young man knelt,
he cast his eyes about him until they rested upon me in what I took to
be mute appeal. I ran forward, and we quickly tore his fine ruffles to
pieces and succeeded in quite stanching his wounds, none of which were
serious. "'Tis only a little blood-letting," said my Lord Strepp with
something of a smile. "'Twill cool him, perchance."

"None of them are deep," I cried hastily. "I--"

But Lord Strepp stopped me with a swift gesture. "Yes," he said, "I
knew. I could see. But--" He looked at me with troubled eyes. "It is
an extraordinary situation. You have spared him, and--he will not wish
to be spared, I feel sure. Most remarkable case."

"Well, I won't kill him," said I bluntly, having tired of this
rubbish. "Damme if I will!"

Lord Strepp laughed outright. "It is ridiculous," he said. "Do you
return, O'Ruddy, and leave m