Smiling, Dick passed the message to his father. Mr. Prescott, after scanning the telegram, rose gravely, crossed the room and handed the slip of paper to Lawyer Ripley. "If the court please, we are now ready with this case," announced Lawyer Ripley. "Proceed, counselor. Mr. Clerk, you will swear such witnesses as are to be called." "If the court please," hastily interjected Mr. Ripley. "I don't believe it is going to be necessary to call any witnesses. With the court's permission I will first make a few explanations." "This case, your Honor, is one in which Albert Dodge, a minor, with the consent of his father, has preferred a charge of aggravated assault against Richard Prescott, a minor. "That there was a fight, and that said Prescott did vigorously assault young Dodge, there is no doubt. Prescott himself does not deny it. But I am satisfied, if it please the court, that the case is one in which, on the evidence, young Prescott is bound to be discharged. I am satisfied that young Prescott had abundant provocation for the assault he committed. Further, we have received apparently satisfactory assurance by wire that a witness is prepared to testify to conduct and speech, on the part of young Dodge, that would justify an assault, or, as the boys call it, 'a fight.' Now, your Honor, if the prisoner, Prescott, through his father, will agree to hold the elder Dodge blameless in the matter of civil damages on account of this arrest, I shall move to have the case dismissed." "Will you so agree, Mr. Prescott," inquired the court, glancing at Dick's father. "Yes," agreed the elder Prescott, "though I must offer my opinion that this arrest has been a shameful outrage." "My client, the elder Dodge-----" began Lawyer Ripley, in a low voice. "Case dismissed," broke in Justice Vesey briskly, and Mr. Ripley did not finish his remark. Bowing to the court, Dick rose, picked up his hat and started out with his father. But once outside Herr Schimmelpodt caught them both by the arm. "Vait!" he commanded. "I much vant to hear me vot Lawyer Ripley haf to say to dot young scallavag." "Are you talking about me?" demanded Bert Dodge, flushingly hotly, for, just at that moment, he turned out of the court room into the corridor. "Maybe," assented Herr Schimmelpodt. "Then stuff a sausage in your Dutch mouth, and be quiet," retorted Bert impudently. "Young man, if your father hat not enough gontrol of er you, den I vill offer him dot I teach you manners by a goot spanking," replied Herr Schimmelpodt stiffly. "Bert, you will be silent before your elders," ordered Mr Dodge. "You have come close enough to getting me into trouble today. Had I understood the whole story of the fight, as I do now, I never would have backed your application for a warrant." If you meet with any rebuke from young Prescott's friends, take it in meekness, for you richly deserve censure."