Simultaneously came sounds of heavy footsteps on the stairs. The other members of the gang made a dash for the doorway, but as they reached it several stalwart forms barred their exit. The Hooligans, realising their position, fought like tigers to escape, but the police, having been forewarned of trouble by old Harris, had their truncheons ready, and used them without stint. Two of the Hooligans dropped to the floor; another, a big fellow, closed with one of the constables, and they went swinging and stumbling into the passage without. Taking his opportunity, the hunchback crept out on to the dark staircase, and was softly descending when suddenly two bony hands seized him by the neck, and next moment he and old Harris were rolling over and over down the rotten stairs, the Jew dealer hanging on to the half-strangled dwarf with a nervous grip which the other could not overcome, beat and tear as he would. Halfway down the stairs the writhing pair were met by another couple of policemen, by whom the hunchback was quickly secured and handcuffed. The reinforcing police speedily settled the matter, and all the Hooligans were soon in custody. When at length the police were able to draw breath more easily and look around, they found Somers kneeling by his friend. By Jim’s side lay the insensible form of the flower-seller who had befriended him with such strange suddenness. "Jim, old chap! Jim!" cried Koko. "Jim, speak to me." No sound came from Jim’s lips. He lay as he had fallen, with his white face upturned to the ceiling. But that face was without a mark, so well shielded had it been by the woman. "Here, sir, try this," said one of the police, holding out a pocket-flask. Quickly Koko unscrewed the top and forced the mouth of the flask between his friend’s lips. The raw spirit trickled down Jim’s throat, and, to Koko’s unspeakable relief, Mortimer opened his eyes. "Is that--you--old man?" "Yes, Jim! Here, swallow some more. Oh, Jim," he added, in a trembling voice, "I’m so glad! I thought--you were dead!" Jim gave a little sigh. "I think they’ve done for me. I can’t move--they’ve hurt my back...." Koko shivered, for he knew what Jim meant. "We’ll take you to the hospital, old man," he said, "and you’ll soon be all right." Jim’s lips moved in reply, and Koko put down his ear. "Take me home," said Jim--and fainted away. *CHAPTER XXVII.* *THE HOME-COMING.* On the day preceding that fixed for her wedding, Dora Maybury purposely went down to breakfast later than usual, as she wished to be alone during the meal. She did not want to meet the prying eyes of her elder sister, or answer her still more prying questions. Miss H. R. Maybury, however, was not easily put off. This was the last day that the two sisters would be spending under the same roof for some time to come, and H. R. intended to make the most of it.