Part 12 (1/2)
The Somerset stood on one of the older, quieter streets of Colfax At this tiht there were not many passers
”Here cootten that he was cohed Jack
Then all three turned to greet Mr Radwin
”How's this?” he asked ”Haven't Mr Rhinds and your friends co, yet, with the officers of the naval board,”
suggested Eph Somers
”They're sure to be out presently,” nodded Radwin, after he had walked the submarine boys to the next corner ”At least, Mr Rhinds is, for he always takes a walk in the evening, after dinner Now, I've discovered the place where they serve the finest hot soda--chocolate, at that I wanted to invite all hands there But I' for us Benson, do you feel like re, while I take your comrades up to the place? You can tell the olderyou all around He knows the place Co the older ones as soon as you see the now,” urged Eph ”You know I don't care ht here until I see our people”
”Good boy, Eph!” ratefully ”You knoeakness for hot chocolate I feel as if I could punish four or five of 'eht now”
As he turned aith Jack and Hal, Mr Radwin looked rather disappointed In fact, he was exceedingly disappointed, for he had hoped to leave Captain Jack Benson at this corner on the block below the hotel
The street was practically deserted there Yet barely two minutes had passed when, about a block away, in the opposite direction from that of the hotel, Eph heard a quick little fe that aroused his blood
A girl, or young woman, he could not tell which, at the distance, cowered back fro man who had raised his hand to strike her
The next instant Eph saw the blow fall Again the young woh not very loudly But the brute see her
”Wow!” sputtered Eph, angrily ”We'll see about that”
On the run So him come, turned for a look, then darted away down the side street
”I--I beg your pardon,” sta a look at hih a thin veil ”I--I don't want to interfere, but--”
”I' woman, in a voice whose sweetness charmed the submarine boy ”That wretch--”
”I wonder if I can overtake hi down the side street The bully had disappeared
”Oh, don't think of that,” begged the girl, in a quick, anxious way ”I don't want to set people's tongues to wagging”
”No; of course not,” Eph assented, quickly
”But, if you will escort ain lifting his cap
”Oh, that will be so kind of you,” shefordistance,” uttered Eph, valiantly, ”I'll plant a torpedo fist under hiirl; for, froht, trim she appeared to be no more That she was indeed afraid was testified to by the way in which her hand trembled on his arm It was such a tender little hand, too! Eph was not a flirt He did not giveto see one struck by a street bully