"All right, Jack, I'm with you if you want any help," returned Fred promptly.
Without hesitation, Jack approached the table at which Brown and Martell sat eating their soup, and placed himself close to the latter's side.
"Now listen to me, Nappy Martell," he said in a low but distinct voice, meant only for the dudish youth. "You keep your eyes to yourself and leave my sister and my cousin alone. If you don't, I'll smash you one in the face that will put you in the hospital. Now remember--I won't give you another warning!" And having thus spoken, Jack turned on his heel and went back to his own table.
Nappy Martell flushed up and an angry retort arose to his lips. Then, however, he became pale and not a word escaped him.
"What was that he said, Nappy?" demanded Slugger in a whisper.
"I--I'll tell you afterwards," stammered Martell. "He's mighty fresh--that fellow!"
"I guess he wants to start a row," grumbled Nappy. "But I don't want any fight in front of those girls."
"Those Rovers are getting too fresh to live," was Slugger's comment. "Some day we'll have to get after 'em and polish 'em off."
"We can't get after 'em any too quick to suit me," answered his crony.
After that Nappy confined his gaze to his chum and to the lunch set before him. Never once did he allow his eyes to rove over to the table opposite. Jack had spoken with an intensity that showed his earnestness, and for once Nappy Martell was completely subdued.
"Those Rovers are getting to be a regular bunch of rough-necks," he growled, after he and his crony had finished a somewhat hurried meal and gone back to the smoking car.
"Did he want to fight you?" queried Slugger.
"That's what he had in mind to do--as if I would want to fight before that crowd of people! Why, we would all have been arrested!"
Jack's meal had been spoiled for him, but he did not let the others know this. He, however, kept his eyes on Brown and Martell until they left the dining car. Then he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Gee! I'm glad they're gone," was Fred's comment.
"You're no more glad than I am," answered his cousin. "I'll teach him to stare at my sister! For two pins I'd have wiped up the floor with him!"
"I wish I'd have gotten the chance," put in Andy, from across the aisle. "Wouldn't I like to have peppered up their food good for them!"