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106 "It's none of your affair if he did."

"I say it is my affair."

"Do you want to get into another row with me, Dick Rover?" And Dan Baxter clenched his fists.

"If we fought, the battle would end as it did before—you would be knocked out," answered Dick. "You have no right to come here if these people want you to stay away, and you had better take yourself off."

"I'll go when I please. You can't make me go—nor the Stanhopes neither," growled Dan Baxter.

At these words Dick grew white. Dora, as old readers know, was his dearest friend, and he could not stand having her spoken of so rudely. For a moment the two boys glared at each other; then Baxter aimed a blow at Dick's face.

The elder Rover ducked and hit out in return, landing upon Baxter's neck. Dora gave a scream.

"Oh, Dick! don't fight with him!"

"I won't—I'll—I'll run him out!" panted Dick, and leaping behind the bully, he caught him by the collar and the back. "Out you go, you brute!" he added, and began to run Baxter toward the open gateway. In vain the bully tried to resist. Dick's blood was up, and he did not