"Sidney was looking on, you know," said Raymond, "and he nudged me. I had an idea myself by then, and I knew what he meant. So I watched, and I saw him do it--the big one with the red hair--you saw him too, didn't you, Sidney? Well, I was excited and--and so on, and I just threw my cards in his face. The next minute they rushed us up into a corner and went for us like blazes, the three of them. I did my best, but I'm only a lightweight. The big chap gave me one here"--he touched the side of his chin--"and down I went. I could call 'Murder!'--I wasn't unconscious--but that's all I could do. And the three of them went for Sidney. By Jove, you should have seen Sidney!" "Rot!" came in a muffled tone from Sidney, whose lips were being bathed and plastered. "He kept them all going for the best part of five minutes, I should think, and marked 'em too; gave 'em as good as he got! And I shouted 'Murder!' all the time. And that's what it would have been, if it had gone on much longer. But the waiters came at last--we were in some kind of a restaurant near Waterloo. I don't fancy the people were particular, but I suppose they didn't want murder done there. And so they came, and our friends made a bolt." "But did nobody call the police?" asked Marie indignantly. "Well," said Raymond, "they'd gone, you see, and----" He smiled weakly. "It doesn't do any good to have that sort of thing in the papers," Sidney remarked. "There you're quite right," said old Sarradet with emphasis. He came up to Sidney and laid his hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, Barslow, for looking after that young fool of mine," he added. "You showed great courage." "Oh, I don't mind a scrap, sir," said Sidney. "I like the exercise." "Oh, Sidney!" murmured Marie, in a very low voice, not far from a sob. The other girls clapped their hands; the men guffawed; Mr. Claud Beverley made a mental note--Not a bad line that! Amidst the clash of arms the laws are silent, and even the arts do not go for much. Not Arthur's legal status nor yet his new elegance, no, nor Mr. Claud Beverley's genius, had any more chance that evening. The girls were aflame with primitive woman's admiration of fighting man--of muscles, skill, and pluck. Joe was an amateur of the noble art and must have every detail of the encounter. Old Sarradet fussed about, now scolding his son, now surreptitiously patting him on the shoulder, always coming back to Sidney with fresh praises and fresh proffers of champagne. Marie took her seat permanently by the wounded warrior's side, and delicately conveyed the foaming glass to his lacerated lips. More than admiration was in her heart; she was a prey to severe remorse. She had sent this man into banishment--a harsh sentence for a hasty word. His response was to preserve her brother!