e middle of the field, and ran down
opposite the professor's house. Then turning sharply to the left, he
hurried across to the garden and stopped before the row of bushes which
ran almost to the shore.

The rescuers were not a moment too soon, for the attackers had already
reached the house and were pounding loudly upon the back door. When it
presently slowly opened, Douglas could hear Nell's voice anxiously
enquiring what was the matter.

"Give us the guy who's here," one of the men demanded.

"Who?" Nell asked in surprise.

"Oh, you know, all right. The feller that's courtin' ye; Jake's man."

Douglas' hands clenched hard together as he listened to these words,
and it was with difficulty that he restrained himself. It would not do
to rush forth just then. He must wait for the men's next move. He
could not see the features of Nell's face very plainly, but the words
she uttered in reply to the impudent order told of her indignation.

"How dare you come here with such a request?" she demanded. "Leave
this place at once or I shall have you all arrested. I am surprised at
you, Tom Totten. What will your wife say? Go home at once, and leave
me alone."

"No, we don't," was the surly reply. "We're under orders, an' we won't
leave until we git our man. Ye've got him in the house, so hustle him
out an' be quick about it."

"He is not here," Nell replied. "And even if he were, I wouldn't let
you touch him. You have all been drinking, that is what's the matter
with you. I am ashamed of you all. Go away at once before you make
fools of yourselves."

"We won't go, I tell ye, before we git our man. We know he's in the
house, an' we're goin' to git him."

Nell's only reply was to turn quickly and shut the door in their faces.
Then a hubbub arose.

"Smash in the door," cried one.

"Break in the winder," ordered another.

Then a rush was made against the door, which gave way with a crash, and
the men stumbled into the kitchen where Nell was standing.

As the door went through, Douglas and his companions sprang from their
hiding place, bounded toward the house and fell upon the attackers like
a whirlwind. Douglas' blood was up, and he delivered telling blows to
right and left.

"Here I am," he cried, as he gave Tom Totten a punch under the ear,
which sent him reeling across the room. "Why don't you take me? I am
the man you want. Now is your chance."

Jake and Empty nobly supported him, and in a