retreat was cut
off by Mr. Wilks. "Don't let him hurt me, Sam," entreated Miss Nugent, piteously. Mr. Wilks came into the garden and closed the gate behind
him. "I wasn't going to hurt
her," cried Master Hardy, anxiously; "as if I should hurt
a girl! "Wot are you doing
in our front garden, then?" demanded Mr. Wilks. He sprang forward suddenly and, catching the boy
by the collar with one huge hand, dragged him, struggling violently, down the side-entrance into the back garden. Miss Nugent, following close behind, sought to improve the occasion. "See what you get by coming into our garden," she said.
The victim made no reply. He was writhing strenuously in order to frustrate Mr. Wilks's evident desire to arrange him comfortably for the administration of the stick he was carrying. Satisfied at last, the ex-steward raised his weapon, and for some secon