"No, thank you! There is no reason why I should hide in a butcher-shop, simply to avoid meeting the man. We'll walk straight past him. If he speaks, we'll ignore him." "I wish we were in a civilized country." "This man is supposed to be civilized. Don't let him catch your eye. Go on; don't lag." Craig stepped in front of them, smiling as he raised his helmet. "This is an unexpected pleasure." Elsa, looking coldly beyond him, attempted to pass. "Surely you remember me?" "I remember an insolent cad," replied Elsa, her eyes beginning to burn dangerously. "Will you stand aside?" He threw a swift glance about. He saw with satisfaction that none but natives was in evidence. Elsa's glance roved, too, with a little chill of despair. In stories Warrington would have appeared about this time and soundly trounced this impudent scoundrel. She realized that she must settle this affair alone. She was not a soldier's daughter for nothing. "Stand aside!" "Hoity-toity!" he laughed. He had been drinking liberally and was a shade reckless. "Why not be a good fellow? Over here nobody minds. I know a neat little restaurant. Bring the old lady along," with a genial nod toward the quaking Martha. Resolutely Elsa's hand went up to her helmet, and with a flourish drew out one of the long steel pins. "Oh, Elsa!" warned Martha. "Be still! This fellow needs a lesson. Once more, Mr. Craig, will you stand aside?" Had he been sober he would have seen the real danger in the young woman's eyes. "Cruel!" he said. "At least, one kiss," putting out his arms. Elsa, merciless in her fury, plunged the pin into his wrist. It stung like a hornet; and with a gasp of pain, Craig leaped back out of range, sobered. "Why, you she-cat!" "I warned you," she replied, her voice steady but low. "The second stab will be serious. Stand aside." He stepped into the gutter, biting his lips and straining his uninjured hand over the hurting throb in his wrist. The hat-pin as a weapon of defense he had hitherto accepted as reporters' yarns. He was now thoroughly convinced of the truth. He had had wide experience with women. His advantage had always been in the fact that the general run of them will submit to insult rather than create a scene. This dark-eyed Judith was distinctly an exception to the rule. Gad! She might have missed his wrist and jabbed him in the throat. He swore, and walked off down the street. Elsa set a pace which Martha, with her wabbling knees, found difficult to maintain. "You might have killed him!" she cried breathlessly.