As  Fish  beheld  his  assailant's  long  legs  swing-
ing over  the  edge  of  the  table  in  a  hurdler's  leap,
and  the  sinewy  body  bearing  down  upon  him,
it  flashed  into  his  brain,  and  from  his  brain  with
instantaneous  impulse  into  nerves  and  muscles,
that  by  dodging  the  frontal  attack  and  deliver-
ing an  immediate  rear  charge,  he  could  put  Archer
himself  out  of  the  room  and  close  the  door  upon

him.     His  dodge,  however,  was  not  quite  quick

[228]


AT   THE    SAME    MOMENT    SAM    VAULTED    THE    BARRIER.  —  PUQ€  228.
HOW  THE  FISH  WAS  CAUGHT

enough.  The  hurdler  came  down  with  long
arms  flying,  and  one  of  these  flying  arms,  or  the
clenched  fist  attached  to  it,  as  it  swung  up,
caught  the  ducking  Fish  under  the  eye.  It  was
an  unintentional  blow,  but  it  had  force,  and  Fish
went  back  against  the  door-post,  for  a  moment
dazed.  When  he  got  to  his  feet  again,  he  found
himself  in  the  entry.  The  door  was  locked  be-
hind him;  over  the  banisters  he  beheld  the
head  of  the  descending  Archer.
On  the  second  floor  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs
Mr.  Alsop  was  standing,  peering  suspiciously  up-
wards. "  Another  disturbance  in  Fowle's  room,
I  judge,"  he  said,  frowning.
"I'll  explain,  sir,  if  you'll  let  me,"  said  Sam,
breathing  hard.  " Won't  you  come  in  here?"

He  threw  open  his  door  and  let  the  teacher
pass  in  ahead  of  him.
"Now,  what  is  it?"  said  Mr.  Alsop,  when  they
were  inside.
