Certain it is Dick experienced it at that moment while he was counting the bunch of bills which seemed to be all five-dollar ones, and without any intention on his part he mechanically raised his eyes and looked straight ahead. They rested on the surface of a mirror hanging against the wall facing him. In the fraction of time at his disposal he was startled to see the form of Mr. Patterson towering about him, his arm uplifted in the act of bringing a slungshot down upon his head. The weapon was actually descending when Dick caught sight of it, and he dodged his head aside. The round iron ball swept his ear like a shot and landed just beyond his collar-bone, the man's hand striking his shoulder with considerable force. Dick slid off the chair on his hands and knees, and though much shaken up, was on his feet in a moment, for he was as active as a cat. There was a terrible look in the man's eyes as they confronted each other, then he sprang at Dick with a hissing imprecation. CHAPTER X.--Dick's Strenuous Experience. Dick, alive to his danger, side-stepped and launched out his fist at his assailant, catching him in the jaw with a blow that staggered him and caused him to drop the weapon. Before Dick could get in another effective blow, the man had him in his grasp, and a desperate struggle for the mastery took place between them. Over and over they rolled upon the rug, first one on top and then the other, but neither could maintain the temporary advantage. In the midst of it the door slowly opened and a woman looked in--the short, blonde lady who had made the purchases at the store. She gazed with dilated eyes on the struggle that was going on. Neither of the combatants saw her at the moment so intent were they on their own exertions. Slowly she opened the door until her handsome form stood fully revealed. She appeared to be nerving herself to go to the aid of the man who had represented himself as her husband. Gradually she entered the room, with an almost imperceptible motion, until her gaze rested on the slungshot. The sight of it brought animation into her movements. She swooped down on it with a rush, and then the man took notice of her presence. "Grab him, Fanny; he's as strong as a young bear," he cried. At that moment Dick managed to get on top of his man again. He saw the woman's dress and looked up. She had the weapon raised to strike him. "You--you here!" she cried, in startled tones, as she recognized the young clerk who had waited on her with such polite attention that she had felt attracted to him. The blow did not fall. She crouched in the act of delivering it as if she had suddenly been transformed into a nerveless thing. "Hit him--hit him!" hissed her husband, making no move to upset the boy, but trying his best to hold him at the woman's mercy. "No, no, I can't, Jim; I can't strike that boy. He ought not to have come here. I did not dream that he would. He must not be hurt," she articulated, in an agitated voice.