Again he attempted to take the girl by the wrist.

"Can I be of service, madam?" inquired Darrin, as he strode toward
them.

Like a flash, the annoyer wheeled upon Darrin, his eyes flashing
dangerously.

"Young man," he warned, threateningly, "the best thing you can
possibly do will be to make yourself scarce as quickly as possible.
As for this young woman-----"

The tormentor moved a step nearer to the young woman, whose face
had turned very pale.

Dave slipped quietly between them.

"As this young woman does not wish to talk with you," Darrin suggested,
"you may address all your remarks to me."

While the two young men stood eyeing each other Darrin noted that
the young woman's annoyer was somewhat taller than himself, broader
of shoulder and deeper of chest. He had the same confidence of
athletic poise that Dave himself displayed. In a resort to force,
it looked as though the stranger would have the better of it.

Yet this stranger seemed suddenly deprived of much of his assurance.
Plainly, there was some good reason why he did not wish to fight on
this side street so close to Broadway.