They struggled silently for a moment; then Pippin's greater strength prevailing, he forced the other back toward the wall. Suddenly the latter wrenched his right hand free; wrenched himself round; there was a flash of bright metal--Pippin ducked, and the brass knuckles crashed into the smooth plaster, cracking and starring it. Pippin had been struggling cheerfully and composedly up to now, but when his eye caught the brazen flash, he went dead white under his tan. With a sharp blow he beat down the murderous hand, caught the ruffian by the throat, ran him back across the room and dashed him against the opposite wall with a violence that shook the house. The man dropped like lead, and Pippin, towering over him like Michael over the dragon, turned to face the other. At this moment, before any one could move, the outer door was opened and a giant form appeared in the doorway, lantern in one hand, truncheon in the other. "What's going on here?" asked Dennis Cassidy, the night watchman. The elder man stepped quickly between him and the others. "Officer, I give this man in charge!" his voice was quiet, but venomous. "Assault and battery, mebbe manslaughter, too. He's half killed my son, a respectable tradesman." The policeman looked from one to the other; then, as Bashford stretched his hand toward Pippin's collar, he motioned him back. "Hold still!" he commanded. "Everybody stand where they be!" Turning for a moment in the doorway, he drew forth his whistle and sounded a long, piercing note. "Now then, you!" he nodded to Bashford. "What are you and your respectable tradesman son doing here this time o' night? Hallo, young chap!" as he recognized Pippin. "_You_ in this game?" Mr. Aymer stepped forward. "Good evening, Cassidy. This is the young man I told you about, who was going to watch the house for me. These are the men he found--I suppose--breaking and entering. I think--I am _sure_ of his honesty!" The last phrase was uttered somewhat explosively. Mrs. Aymer had crept downstairs after him, and pinched his arm violently. "That's as may be, sir! Don't you say anything yet, my bo!" to Pippin. "I asked _you_," he spoke to Bashford, "what you and your son were doing here this time o' night." "Watchin' him!" the reply came coolly. "I give him in charge, officer, and it's your dooty to arrest him. If you don't know him, ask the Third District force! Ask 'em what they know about Pippin the Kid, alias Moonlighter, alias Jack-o'-lantern--he's well known to every cop in that district. Me and my son have seen him wormin' his way in here, deceivin' this good gentleman and his family; me and my son have knowed him from a--" Mr. Bashford paused a moment--"knowed him for a crook from way back." "I don't believe a word of it!" said John Aymer. Pippin looked up, white to the lips, but his chin held high. "It's true!" he said.