"Explain it in the police court," growled the big man with a crooked eye. "That's the proper place for you to make your explanations."
"The judge will listen to you," cried the slim man, his head bobbing on his long neck, like the head of a crane that is walking along the edge of a marsh.
"Don't attempt to escape by means of falsehoods, you rascal!" almost shouted the little man with the red whiskers, bristling up in a savage manner, but dodging back the moment Frank turned on him.
"Gentlemen, I have been insulted by this fellow!" came from behind the baffling veil worn by the woman. "He is a low wretch, who attacked me in a most brutal manner."
"We will see that you are protected, madam," assured the little man, his red whiskers seeming to bristle like porcupine quills, as he dodged round Frank and placed himself on the opposite side of the veiled unknown. "Madam," he repeated, "I will see that you are protected--I will!"
"You are very kind," she fluttered; "but where is the officer? The reaction--the shock--the weakness!"
"Permit me to offer you any assistance possible," gallantly spoke a man in a sack coat and a silk hat, stepping forward and raising the latter piece of wearing apparel, thereby disclosing a shining bald spot on the top of his head, which he covered as quickly as possible, evidently hoping it had escaped the woman's notice. "You are in a city, my dear lady, where insults to the fair sex never go unpunished."
He attempted to smile on her in a pleasant manner, but there was a sort of leer in his eyes and around his sensual mouth that betrayed his true character plainly enough.
The woman did not accept his arm which was half tendered, but she made a great show of agitation and distress, which affected the various witnesses.
"It's a shame!" piped the man with the long neck and the bobbing head.
"It's an outrage!" blustered the little man with the bristling whiskers and savage manner.
"It's most unfortunate!" murmured the gallant man with the silk hat and sack coat.
"It's a bad break for Mr. Masher!" ejaculated the big man with the crooked eye and glowering look.
Frank smiled; he could not help it, for he was impressed by the comedy of the affair, despite the unpleasantness of the situation he was in at that moment.