When the girls came under the arc of light that reflected from the globes in the saloon-window, one of the flippant young men said, quite loud enough for Polly and Eleanor to hear: "I say! Ain"t them two goils peaches, though!"
His two companions laughed rudely, but the girls hastened on without a word or look. Another of the trio then said: "Betcha they"d be glad of comp"ny. I"ll try it."
Eleanor whispered anxiously to Polly: "What time do you think it is?"
"It was almost eleven when we stopped writing. It must be nearly eleven-thirty now."
"Pretty late for such a bad night. We"ll take the subway at Fourteenth street, Polly."
"Reckon we"d better. Are there no policemen about these corners?"
"Not when you need one. On fine summer nights you will see them strolling about, maybe."
The girls t.i.ttered, but instantly hushed when they heard voices directly behind them.
"Pretty evenin" fer a walk, goils."
No reply was vouchsafed to this remark but the girls kept right on with their customary swift gait.
"Ain"t che hankerin" fer comp"ny?" chuckled another tough.
"Ah, come on back, fellers. What"s th" use foolin" wid a coupla high-brows on such a nasty night!" argued one of the three.
Polly and Eleanor fervently hoped they would go back, but the other fellow replied: "G"wan back, if yeh wants. Bill and me er goin" to have some fun. Come on, Bill."
Polly now glanced at Eleanor and said in a low tone: "Get a good grip on your umbrella. Thank heavens we haven"t any books or papers to carry, as we usually have."
Then the fellow called Bill, said: "You amble up to the peacherino on the outside, whiles I take to the inside one, Andy."
"There"s the boss"s car waiting fer nuttin. We kin give them a ride-a joy ride fer us," harshly laughed Andy.
Bill joined in the suggestive laugh, and both girls unconsciously hastened their steps.
"No hurry, my pretties. There ain"t a cop twixt here an" the saloon on Fourteenth street. Don"t we"se know this districk? Ha-ha!"
"Ready for a fight, Nolla!" hissed Polly, suddenly wheeling and facing the accosters.
Eleanor also turned, a second later, and both men were taken by surprise. Polly"s eyes blazed and she gave the roughs such a scornful look that it should have withered them as they stood there.
"Now you two out-laws turn-about-face and march downtown as fast as you know how!" commanded she.
[Ill.u.s.tration: "NOW YOU TWO OUT-LAWS TURN-ABOUT-FACE AND MARCH!"
COMMANDED POLLY.]
"Ah, ha, Bill! I envy you your choice! She turns out to be a regerler sport. See them eyes shoot fire? Let me have a kiss, me pritty, afore Bill gits them all!" As the fellow Andy spoke insinuatingly, he stepped forward to take hold of Polly.
At the same moment her umbrella swung back over her head and the muscular young arm instantly brought down the heavy metal k.n.o.b upon the soft cap that covered the head of the ruffian. The blow was so unexpected, and forceful as well, that it staggered Polly"s a.s.sailant.
Both men cursed fluently, then, and Bill threatened: "Jus" fer dat, you"se is goin" to get what"s comin" to yeh!"
Eleanor wanted to turn and run, but she would not have deserted Polly for all the world, so she screamed "Help! Help!" with all her lung-power-and she had plenty of it.
Bill hesitated to attack Eleanor as she yelled and screamed for help, but Andy was raging and tried to close in with Polly. The umbrella was flung aside, and in another minute Polly launched at his face with a closed fist. It struck him between the eyes and caused a howl of pain.
Before he could collect himself, the daring girl had struck him another fearful blow under the chin. This sent him back flat upon his back, and while he was trying to crawl up on his knees, the amateur pugilist turned and sent a blow at Bill. But he had stood gaping at the amazing encounter with his pal, and he now dodged his own undoing.
Eleanor saw her opportunity. She had no time to lift her umbrella for a blow, and it had no solid handle like Polly"s, but she fiercely rammed the steel-capped end of the rod into the pit of the rascal"s stomach, so that, instantly, he buckled up. He sank down groaning while he struggled to get his breath.
Andy was up on his feet again by this time, but Bill was out of the fight, so both girls gave full attention to the second villain. He fought now, as slum ruffians will, but he was no match for the hard knuckles, steel muscles and lithe movements, of the Rocky Mountain maid who had grappled with wild animals and had won out.
The groveling Bill now managed to reach out a hand, planning to catch Eleanor by the ankle and trip her. But at that moment a silent-running automobile slid up to the curb and, at the instant of its stopping, the door flew open and a gentleman leaped out. In his hand he pointed a revolver, and Andy immediately threw up both hands.
"W-h-y-Mr. Dalken. Oh, thank goodness you came!" cried Eleanor, trembling nervously.
The chauffeur was standing guard over Bill at the same time, so Mr.
Dalken asked frowningly: "What are you girls doing down here at this hour?-all alone, too!"
By this time the truant officer ran over to the group and wanted to know what was wrong. Mr. Dalken turned on him in just anger. "Wrong-why, you were not on the beat! That"s what"s wrong."
"But I was-I got a beat bigger than any Fift" avenoo cop what only has to parade in front of a swell"s house."
"You needn"t try to bull-doze me, my man. Evidently you fail to recognise me, but we will talk this over at the City Hall, in the morning. Now arrest these two foot-pads." As the officer snapped hand-cuffs on his prisoners, Dalken added, "By the way, why is a saloon open at this hour-to sell soft drinks?"
The scorn in Mr. Dalken"s tone silenced the policeman. "Now, girls, jump into the car and I will take you home," offered their rescuer. But the officer interfered when they would have stepped inside the car.
"Your names, please, and addresses. And how do I know that you will take these young ladies to their home?" The tone of the man was insulting.
"If it were not for the fact that I want to hurry these children to their family as quickly as possible, I"d take the keenest pleasure in answering you in a manner that you"d understand and respect. Now you go about your tardy business and I will see to mine. Here"s my card. The girls do not appear in this matter at all. I am the man who caused the ruffians" arrest, and I will answer in Court."
Mr. Dalken followed the girls into the car and the driver instantly shot away; in a short time the car stopped in front of the Studio. As Polly and Eleanor gratefully took Mr. Dalken"s hand, he advised them. "Better not speak of this affair to anyone-leave it to me to settle. But, hereafter, do not dream of going about so late at night, unattended. One never can tell!"
"But we can"t expect Anne to trot about with us when she is tired out at night," explained Eleanor.
"Then use my car on the nights you have to go to school. I"ll send down my Sedan, after this, because the butler understands its tricks thoroughly. He seldom has anything to do on those evenings you go to school, and he can oblige us by driving that car should I need Henri for this car."
The girls thanked him again, and then hurried indoors.
"Where _have_ you been so late, dears?" cried Anne, anxiously, as they came in.
"We told you we would be late," began Polly.
"But it is past twelve, now; I was about to call up the police-station at Ninth street, and find out if anything had happened."
The two girls laughed and Eleanor pulled Anne"s ear playfully, as she said: "Now, silly, what could happen to us!"