"Yes, you have," was the angry reply. "Trying to shine up to the little German girl, are you?" and the lieutenant laughed sneeringly.
"Look here," said Frank, his face turning red, "you leave Miss Beulow out of this. If you have anything to say to me, say it and get out of my way."
"You dare to talk like that to your superior officer?"
"Yes, I dare; and I'll say a whole lot more if you don't get away from me."
"You will, eh? Do you know what I have a mind to do?"
"Well, you will care. I have a mind to give you a good trimming," and the lieutenant advanced threateningly.
"I wouldn't try it if I were you," said Frank quietly. "You might get more than you bargained for."
"What! Do you think you are any match for me?"
"I guess not. But let me tell you something: You keep away from Miss Beulow, or I'll hand you the worst thrashing you ever heard of."
"You attend to your business, and I'll attend to mine," was Frank's reply. "I'll walk with whom I choose," and he turned and started away.
"Oh, you will, will you," shouted the now enraged lieutenant. "Well, I'll show you!"
He sprang forward, and with his open palm struck Frank a stinging blow on the side of the face.
Frank in turn leaped forward, and the lieutenant stepped back and placed himself in an attitude of defense.
"You'll have to pay for that blow," exclaimed Frank, "I don't care if you are my superior officer."
"Don't let that stand in the way," said the lieutenant with a sneer. "I won't hide behind that."
Frank sprang forward to deliver a blow at his persecutor, when his arm was seized suddenly from behind. In vain he struggled to free himself. He was lifted from his feet as though he had been a child, and a voice exclaimed:
"Here! here! what are you fellows fighting about?"
"Let me alone!" shouted Frank, now thoroughly aroused. "He struck me!"
"And what if I did," sneered the lieutenant, "what are you doing to do about it?"
"I'll show you what I am going to do!" cried Frank. "Let me go, Jack!"
"Not much I won't. What chance have you with this big bully? If he wants a row let him pitch into me."
"This is my affair," cried Frank, still struggling to free himself. "Let me go."
"Well," said Jack, "if you must fight, all right. But not here. Lord Hastings or Lieutenant Edwards is liable to see you and you would both be put under arrest." He turned to Lieutenant Taylor. "Are you willing to fight?" he asked.