"Well," he exclaimed, "that's too bad. I must get a match."

At this Ed stepped to the door to ask for a box, while Peters
hurried down the steps to look for the missing trinket. When Ed
came back with a light Peters was looking industriously for the
purse, but declared he had not seen it.

"Now see here, Peters," cried Ed angrily. "You have picked up that
purse, and I want you to hand it right over here," and Ed dropped
the cloak from his shoulders. "If you don't I'll teach you a
lesson."

"Oh, you will, eh?" sneered the man. "Well you'd better get at it,
kid," and with that he struck Ed a tantalizing blow on the cheek.

Ed clutched the man by the arm. By this time the confusion had been
heard within doors, and the other boys hurried out.

"What's up?" asked Jack, just as Ed, with all his strength, almost
bent the older man over backward.

Jim Peters was fairly roaring now. He was strong, but this young
giant was a surprise to him, and after the way of the cowardly
class, as soon as he found out he would be bested he "quit," and
begged off.

"Hand me back that purse," demanded Ed. "I know you've got it as
well as if I had seen you take it."