"Would you believe it!" cried Thad, "that was certainly Nick Lang's
gruff voice I heard just then. If that chap's around this region, he's
come out on purpose to kick up some sort of a shindy. It would be just
like his way."

Hugh felt a thrill pass over him. It was as though some innate warning
told him he would sooner or later be mixed up in the mess Nick meant to
start. Somehow, his thoughts instinctively flew to Owen Dugdale, and
he remembered what Thad had remarked earlier in the evening about the
possibility of Nick picking on Owen simply because Peggy Noland chose
to accompany the other to the hop, in preference to accepting Nick for
a partner.

The voices were growing even more boisterous.

"Let's get a move on us, and sprint up that way, Hugh," suggested Thad,
unable to restrain his impatience.

"Might as well," the other grimly told him.

Accordingly, they started to run. All the while they could hear
disputing voices raised in anger and excitement. Apparently, Nick was
aroused, and looking for trouble; when he allowed himself to jump into
this aggressive mood, somebody was liable to feel the weight of his
heavy fist before the end of the affair came. At least such had always
been the case in the past.

Nick was not the only one doing the talking. Hugh thought he several
times caught the sound of a voice that might belong to Owen. Then