Now the two advanced at Larry again. He braced himself for the blows he knew would come. And come they did, for the two went at him again, hot and heavy. An unexpected blow from Peter’s fist, landing on the point of Larry’s jaw, made him feel dizzy. He felt as if he was going to topple over. Yet before he fell he resolved to give something in return. So, with a powerful half swing he struck out, straight at Peter’s face. He felt the blow land, and saw Peter reel. Then Jim closed in on him and Larry felt that the odds were too unequal. He was afraid his precious copy would be taken from him. Suddenly there sounded a step on the marble floor of the corridor. “Here, you lads! What do you mean by fighting in the City Hall?” a gruff voice asked. Larry looked up, to see a big policeman approaching. The boy conquered his inclination to topple over and braced himself. Peter and Jim, at the sight of the bluecoat, took to their heels. “Were they both goin’ at ye at once?” asked the officer, seeing that Larry did not flee. “They tried to do me up,” said Larry. “Ye didn’t make out so bad,” went on the policeman with a smile. “I saw that last blow ye landed. It was a dandy. What was the trouble?” “Oh, one of ’em had a quarrel with me,” replied Larry, not caring to go into details, “and he had a friend to help him.” “Well, run along now, an’ don’t let me catch ye fightin’ agin,” said the officer, trying to speak severely. “If I do I’ll arrest ye. But,” he added, his admiration of Larry’s powers overcoming his instincts of duty, “that was a fine blow ye landed, all right.” Larry lost no time in hastening to the office of the _Leader_. He was tired and panting from the fight and the excitement of it, but in spite of this he ran all the way and reached the city room out of breath. At first he felt inclined to tell Mr. Emberg about the matter. Then he thought better of it, determining to fight his own battles. So, having delivered the copy, he hurried back for more, finding Mr. Newton had a bunch of it ready for him. Larry was not molested on this trip, and he noticed that Peter was not among the copy boys, nor was Jim. They evidently did not dare return, fearing Larry would inform the policeman of their actions. All that day, until the last edition went to press, Larry rushed back and forth with copy from the Aldermanic Chamber to the city room. He was very tired when night came. “Why, Larry!” exclaimed his mother when he reached home. “How did you get that big lump over your eye? And your cheek is cut!” she added. “Oh, another boy and myself had a little difference of opinion,” said Larry. “I hope you weren’t fighting,” came from Mrs. Dexter. “Well I--I--er had to defend myself against two of ’em,” said Larry. “It wasn’t exactly a fight, I guess.” “I’m sure I’d worry if I knew you had fought.” Larry did not want to deceive his mother, but he knew that to tell her the circumstances would only worry her, so he passed the matter over lightly.