Two boys went down before their leader's fists, but they were up again in an instant and fighting back desperately. One attacked him from behind, but with a quick kick d.i.c.k shook himself free. Picking his nearest opponent up bodily, he hurled him full in the faces of the others; and they gave ground.

But only for a minute. Then they sprang forward again. d.i.c.k found himself hard pressed on all sides. He reeled under a blow that caught him on the point of the chin, and before he could recover, two stinging blows struck him in the jaw.

He made one last desperate effort, throwing himself upon his opponents, but the effort was vain.

Stooping, one of the boys picked up a rock, and waiting an opportunity jumped in quickly and struck him in the back of the head.

d.i.c.k uttered a slight groan, stumbled and fell almost at Shirley's feet.

The girl uttered a cry of horror. The other boys, startled for the moment at the outcome, hung back, then advanced toward their fallen leader. Believing that they were about to do him further harm, Shirley took the responsibility upon herself.

Her nervousness, fright and indecision left her instantly. She reached quickly in her coat pocket and whipped forth her little revolver, which she aimed at the crowd of young ruffians with steady hand.

"Stand back!" she cried.

The ruffians hesitated.

"Look here," began one, advancing a step.

"Take my advice and stay where you are," said Shirley quietly. "I don't want to hurt you, but if any one of you come a single step nearer I'll shoot."

The crowd drew back, and stood silently watching her.

Laying the revolver upon the sidewalk close beside her, Shirley raised d.i.c.k's head to her knee. Then she sought to stop the flow of blood from the wound with her handkerchief.

d.i.c.k stirred slightly, and a faint breath shivered through his lips.

"What's happened?" he gasped.

"Lie still!" commanded Shirley. "Your head is badly cut."

d.i.c.k shook off her detaining hand, and rose slowly. He felt his wound, and then said:

"Which one of you fellows. .h.i.t me with a rock?"

Not a sound came from the crowd. d.i.c.k stepped forward.

"Better tell me now," he said, "for I'll find out sometime, and when I do somebody will be well thrashed."

A boy stepped forward.

"I did it," he said. "But now I'm sorry!"

"Well, I'll attend to you later," said d.i.c.k.

He turned to Shirley.

"What are you doing out at this hour, and dressed this way?"

In a few words Shirley told him enough of her trouble to satisfy his curiosity.

"The best thing you can do is to get home at once," he said.

"I don't know the way now," said Shirley.

"Where do you live?"

Shirley told him.

"I'll take you home," said d.i.c.k quietly, "if you don't mind my walking along with you."

"Thank you," said Shirley. "Of course I don't mind."

d.i.c.k turned to his friends.

"I'll see you fellows later," he said significantly. "We'll talk this matter over when there are no girls around. Get out of here now."

With a crestfallen air they obeyed.

d.i.c.k turned once more to Shirley. "Come," he said.

CHAPTER XIII.-MR. WILLING IS PUZZLED.

It was late when they neared Clara Morton's home. As they approached quietly, a figure ran from the porch to meet them. It was Mabel.

"Shirley," she cried, "I was so afraid that something had happened to you. I have been waiting here for more than an hour."

"Well, something did happen," said Shirley. "I'll tell you about it when we get upstairs."

"Come on, then," said Mabel, "but be careful. I told Clara you probably wouldn't be home until in the morning, and no one here must see you in that costume."

Shirley turned to say good-bye to d.i.c.k, but there was no d.i.c.k. His duty done, he had not waited for thanks.

Shirley was disappointed.

"I would like to have said good-bye to him," she told herself.

Silently the two girls made their way up the stairs, and reached their room without being discovered.

Mabel insisted upon an immediate account of Shirley's adventures and the latter gave full details.

"You see," she concluded, "it was all your fault. Why didn't you remind me of my purse?"

"That's right, blame me," said Mabel. "I think you've had some jolly fun."