Page:Hopkinson Smith--Tom Grogan.djvu/44

, and throw you out if you make any fuss.”

“The yard-watch!” said Tom, with a look of supreme contempt. “I can handle any two of 'em, an' ye too, an' ye know it.” Her cheeks were aflame. She crowded Lathers so closely his slinking figure hugged the fence.

By this time the gang had abandoned the buoy, and were standing aghast, watching the fury of the Amazon.

“Now, see here, don't make a muss; the commandant'll be down here in a minute.”

“Let him come; he's the one I want to see. If he knew he had a man in his pay that would do as dirty a trick to a woman as ye've done to me, his name would be Dinnis. I'll see him meself this very day, and”—

Here Lathers interrupted with an angry gesture.

“Don't ye lift yer arm at me,” she blazes out, “or I'll break it at the wrist!”

Lathers's hand dropped. All the color was out of his face, his lip quivering.

“Whoever said I said a word against you, Mrs. Grogan, is a liar.” It was the last resort of a cowardly nature.