"Will you let me take your arm?" begged the girl; for, from her voice and
her slight, trim she appeared to be no more. That she was indeed afraid
was testified to by the way in which her hand trembled on his arm. It
was such a tender little hand, too! Eph was not a flirt. He did not
give much thought to girls, as a rule, but he wasn't going to see one
struck by a street bully.

So he walked along, down the side street, turning, also, at two or three
other corners, talking cheerily to make the girl forget her late fright.
Her face Eph couldn't see very well, on account of the veil, but he
decided that the young woman possessed beautiful, flashing eyes, as he
caught their expression dimly through the veil.

Down another quiet side street they were passing, when they came to the
head of an alley-way. Just as they reached it the girl let go of Eph's
arm, uttering a little scream as she darted away. Eph didn't follow her.
He found himself face to face with the thick set young man, Tom. Just
of that worthy were two other sturdy-looking young hoodlums.

"Now, you an' me have got something to settle, younker," glared Tom.

"All right," retorted Eph, undauntedly. "But fair play--one at a time."

Eph's fists were up, and he sailed in, fighting manfully, sailor-fashion.
Then the other two closed in behind young Somers. He was struck on the
back of the head, and darkness came over him and he fell insensible to
the ground.

When luckless Eph came to his senses he found himself lying, bound hand