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"Look here," said Sir Francis, suddenly taking a tack in another

direction, "you own that you beat my son--my stepson," he added

correctively, "in that way?"

"Yes, Sir Francis," I said, "I didn't knoho he was in the dark"

"You couldn't see him?"

"Only just, Sir Francis; and I hit him as hard as I could"

"And you, my man, do you own that you struck my other stepson as hard as

you could in the chest?"

"No!" cried Ike fiercely; and to the surprise of all he threw off his

jacket and rolled up his shirt sleeve, displaying a great red-brown hty fist "Lookye here, your worship See

there Why, if I'd hit that boy with that there fist as hard as ever I

could, there wouldn't be no boy now, only a coroner's inquess Bah! I

wonder at you, Sir Francis! There's none of ripped his arster, and show your pa"

"How dare you!" cried Philip indignantly

"Take off your jacket, sir!" roared Sir Francis, and tre, Philip did as he was told, and at a second bidding rolled up

his sleeves to show thenow, but uttered a low grunt

"He did hit me," cried Philip excitedly

"No; I hit you," I cried, "when I rushed at you first I followed you

after I'd heard you scranant look