hem and sent the girl reeling against the nearby wall.

At that instant the music ceased. Douglas waited for a few seconds
while all eyes were turned in his direction.

"I shall not play another note," he calmly began, "unless Mr. Stubbles
decides to behave in a proper manner."

"What's that?" Ben demanded, somewhat surprised that any one should
dare to rebuke him.

"Didn't you hear what I said?" Douglas asked, as he laid aside his
violin and rose to his feet. "I said that I would not play another
note unless you decide to behave in a proper manner."

"Do you mean to insinuate that I have not been behaving myself?" Ben
retorted.

"I did more than insinuate. And I say further that you have been
behaving disgracefully and not at all like a gentleman."

"You impudent cur," Ben roared as he stepped forward. "How dare you
speak to me like that? Take back those words at once or I'll make an
example of you."

"Come and do it, then. I will meet you half way," and Douglas advanced
toward him as he spoke.

But Ben hesitated. He found himself in a fix, and did not know how to
get out of the tangle. His bluffs had always been effective in the
past, and no one had dared to oppose him simply because he was Simon
Stubbles' son. But here was a man, a stranger, who looked very big to
him, just then, standing before him and challenging his right to rule.
Ben was no fighter, and no one knew it better than himself. He was a
coward at heart, and his present embarrassing position unnerved him.
He glanced quickly around and seeing the eyes of all riveted upon him
made him angry. If he should back down, he well knew that he would be
the laughing-stock of the whole parish.

"Are you going to take back those words?" he at length found voice to
ask.

"Not unless you make me," Douglas calmly replied. "Now is your chance."

"Do you realise who I am?" Ben roared, thinking to intimidate his
opponent.

"I have a fairly good idea. But that doesn't make any difference.
It's you I am dealing with now, and not your father."

"But I can drive you out of this parish. I can make it so hot for you
that you won't dare to stay here another day."

"H'm," and Douglas gave a slight sarcastic laugh. "Why don't you do
it, then? Here is your chance. Make it hot for me, and let me feel
some of your great driving power."

These deliberate and tantalising words stirred Ben to the highest pitch
of anger. He threw all discretion to t